Violence Against Children in Pakistan

Forms of Violence

In Pakistan, the most pervasive forms of violence against children include neglect, corporal punishment meted out in schools, seminaries, and households; child sexual abuse, acid attacks on girls, child marriages, killing and suicide, kidnapping and trafficking, and recruitment of children in armed conflict.

Despite government policies to counteract various forms of violence against children, weak implementation and lack of reliable quantitative information hinder effectiveness.

Neglect

Neglect, either intentional or unintentional, is a common form of child abuse. It can occur at multiple levels, from parental neglect in addressing children’s grievances to state neglect in formulating and implementing child-friendly policies.

Corporal Punishment

The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child defines corporal punishment as any punishment using physical force causing pain or discomfort. In Pakistan, corporal punishment is prevalent in workplaces, homes, and educational institutions, including schools and madrassahs. Despite evidence of its harmful impact, it remains a common disciplinary tool.

Government Initiatives: Addressing Corporal Punishment in Schools

• Punjab: Banned corporal punishment in schools in 2005, but implementation remains weak. In 2011, the Punjab Education Foundation partnered with Plan Pakistan to set up complaint boxes and committees in 2,500 schools.
• Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Banned corporal punishment in 1999. Established Child Protection Units in 8 districts under the Child Protection and Welfare Act (2010).
• Sindh: Banned corporal punishment under the Sindh Education Code and issued a directive in 2006. Legislative intervention was initiated in 2011.
• Balochistan: Issued a directive banning corporal punishment in 2010 but failed to take effective legal and administrative measures.

Dearth of Government Regulation: Corporal Punishment in Madrassahs

Madrassahs were required to register under the Societies Registration Act 1869 in 2005. Despite amendments, many remain unregistered, leaving students vulnerable to violence and abuse.

Child Sexual Abuse

Child sexual abuse is rampant in Pakistan, but current legal frameworks are inadequate. There are no specialized laws for its prevention, and existing clauses in the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) and Anti-Terrorism Act recognize it only to a limited extent. Social and familial constraints further impede prosecution.

Acid Attacks

Acid attacks have increased in recent years, with an estimated 150 victims reported annually. Children are often secondary victims, accompanying female targets.

Child Marriages

Child marriages are common, especially in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan. The legal age for marriage is 18 for boys and 16 for girls under the Child Marriage Restraint Act 1929, but enforcement is weak.

Suicide and Killing

Child suicide and killings by family members are rising, often due to domestic problems, poverty, and impulsive actions. Economic hardships contribute to these tragic outcomes.

Child Abduction and Trafficking

Approximately 300,000 people are trafficked from Pakistan annually, with children being trafficked for begging, domestic servitude, prostitution, and even sold to childless couples. Girls from countries like Bangladesh and Burma are trafficked into Pakistan for sale.

Children in Armed Conflict

Children in conflict zones like FATA and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are recruited as suicide bombers and suffer from severe psychological impacts, including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Following are the major signs of a child being a potential victim of a child-sex-offender:

• Kissing and caressing: Predators often show affection in front of parents to gain trust and later exploit children.
• Inappropriate touching: Children should be educated on improper touching and encouraged to report it.
• Sitting in someone’s lap: Parents should monitor and limit this behavior.
• Offering candies and gifts: A common tactic used by predators; children should be advised to refuse such offers.
• Taking children out unchaperoned: Parents should not allow children to go out alone with relatives or friends.

#ChildSexualAbuse #Rape #ChildRape #MinorRape #ChildPornography #Pornography #ChildAbuse #Harassment #ParentsResponsibility #SaveOurKids