Daily Times

Child abuse and neglect, as per the definition provided by WHO, includes all forms of physical and emotional ill-treatment, sexual abuse, neglect, and exploitation that results in actual or potential harm to the child’s health, development or dignity. Within this broad definition, five subtypes can be distinguished — physical abuse; sexual abuse; neglect and negligent treatment; emotional abuse; and exploitation. The challenges of drawing the line between physical discipline and child abuse are being debated in US and other developed countries. An American sociologist Simon Finkelhor known for his research Into Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) uses interpersonal victimisation a therapeutic term in conjunction with CSA. To him, the physical abuse of children, although technically criminal, is not frequently prosecuted and is generally handled by social-control agencies other than the police and criminal courts.

In 2002, WHO estimated that globally at least 150 million girls and 73 million boys under 18 years had experienced forced sexual intercourse or other forms of sexual violence involving physical contact. Statistics show that females are much more likely than males to develop PTSD as a result of experiencing child abuse. The highest rates of sexual abuse are found among children who have reached puberty or adolescence and in most places, boys are the victims of beatings and physical punishment more often than girls, while girls are at higher risk of infanticide, sexual abuse, and forced prostitution, educational and nutritional neglect. The exact magnitude of this violence is unknown but it remains a fact that all children are at risk. The Journalist’s Resource US, reported a 2009 study (to deal with the relative lack of consistent data) to estimate an ‘overall international figure’ for such abuse. It found that the highest prevalence rate of child sexual abuse geographically was found in Africa (34.4 percent), Europe showed the lowest prevalence rate (9.2 percent), America and Asia had prevalence rates between 10.1 percent and 23.9 percent; for women, seven countries reported prevalence rates above 20 percent: and the generally much-lower rate for males may be partially inaccurate.

It is worthwhile to recognise the attributes of the abusers. The perpetrators of child abuse (an act of commission) and neglect (an “act of omission) are most often the child’s own parents. Those who molest children look and act just like everyone else. People who sexually abuse children can be found in families, schools, madaris, streets, parks, shrines, places of worship, sports clubs, and any other place where children gather. Significantly, abusers can be and often are other children. About 90 percent of children who are victims of abuse know their abuser. Only 10 percent of sexually abused children are abused by a stranger. Approximately 30 percent of children who are sexually abused are abused by family members. As many as 40 percent of children who are sexually abused are abused by older, or more powerful children. A minority of perpetrators can be the past victims as well; a phenomenon known as the cycle of sexual abuse.

Approximately 30 percent of children who are sexually abused are abused by family members. As many as 40 percent of children who are sexually abused are abused by older, or more powerful children. A minority of perpetrators can be past victims as well; a phenomenon known as the cycle of sexual abuse

In year 2016, Pakistan’s Senate passed a bill that for the first time criminalised sexual assault against minors, child trafficking and pornography. The recent widespread revealing of child abuse in Pakistan owes its life to the heartrending incidence of the captivity, rape and murder of the 7-year old girl from Kasur ( while her parents were away to perform Umrah and she was residing with close relatives). Our ill-equipped police and blundering systems of governance have suddenly become newsworthy. The free and fair (read private) Pakistani TV channels are mourning the death of the unfortunate minor, with music and poetry. The airing of cultural anxiety of the self styled moral brigades and vulgar verbosity of the politicians from treasury as well as the opposition benches demands condemnation from the social critics and activists. The dynamics of representation and reception of child sexual abuse phenomenon and associated fascination, eroticisation and politicisation caused enough discomfort and displeasure to the followers of ethical media. Witnessing the activism of sitting parliamentarians in candle vigils is nothing but a comic relief and ironic in politest words. I dare not to go further in documenting the dearth of any dull moment in my beloved country where many legislators and government officials are not reluctant of running non-governmental organisations and are openly ridiculing the laws of the land.

It is time to admit the collapse of our institutions and hollowism of our culture and social values. All Pakistanis are in dire need to believe that Sexual Violence, a gross violation of children’s rights occurs in every country and child abuse does take place in all families, tribes, clans, regions and social classes of Pakistan. There is no singular and instant solution to end the CSA but its prevalence rate can be reduced through sensitisation of parents, teachers, students, media professionals, police, judiciary and legislators on sexual health rights. This needs continued, coordinated, rational and sincere actions that have nothing to do with morality, religiosity, spirituality and rituals. The question is who can offer such an immaculate leadership?

The writer is a gender expert, Public Health Specialist, researcher, activist and a free thinker. Twitter handle@survivorwins

Published in Daily Times, January 15^th 2018.