At least 4,213 children were molested in 2023, with an average of 11 children assaulted every day across Pakistan, according to a report issued by a non-profit organization (NGO) working for child safety.
The study titled 'Cruel Numbers 2023,' a signature publication of Sahil, was released on Thursday with the assistance of the National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR).
According to the NCHR, in 2023, 4,213 child abuse instances were recorded from all four provinces, including Islamabad, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), and Gilgit Baltistan (GB).
The overall number of instances includes reports of child sexual assault, abductions, missing children, and child marriages.
Sahil's 2023 report reveals 4,213 reported cases of child abuse across Pakistan, including CSA, abduction, missing children, and child marriages. Gender analysis shows 53% girls and 47% boys affected. Addressing vulnerabilities crucial. @RabiyaJaveri https://t.co/XRWf7Wh8Vy
— National Commission for Human Rights (@nchrofficial) March 1, 2024
A gender division analysis of the data reveals that of the total reported incidents of child abuse, 2,251 (53%) were girls and 1962 (47%) were boys. According to the survey, children are most vulnerable to abuse between the ages of 6 and 15 years, with more males than girls recorded as victims.
Furthermore, children as young as 0 to 5 years old were sexually assaulted. According to Cruel Numbers 2023, acquaintances are still the most common perpetrators of child sexual abuse, followed by relatives, family members, strangers, and female abettors.
According to the geographical divide data, 75% of the 4,213 reported cases came from Punjab, 13% from Sindh, 7% from the Islamabad capital region, 3% from KP, and 2% from Balochistan, AJK, and GB.
According to Cruel Number 2023, 91% of reported instances were registered with the police. The study described it as a positive indicator demonstrating the police's active engagement in resolving the issue.