July 29, 2025
By Xari Jalil
LAHORE
In a distressing revelation, Pakistan has witnessed a 20% increase in child sexual abuse (CSA) cases in the first six months of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, according to the latest Cruel Numbers Report published by Sahil, a leading child protection NGO.
A total of 1,956 cases of child abuse were reported between January and June 2025, up from 1,630 in the first half of 2024. The data, compiled through monitoring 81 national and regional newspapers and direct reports to Sahil, paints a grim picture of a country still struggling to protect its most vulnerable citizens.
In the first six months of January-June 2025, 950 cases of child sexual abuse, 605 cases of abduction, 192 cases of missing children, and 34 cases of child marriages or compensation marriage were reported.
Gender and Age: Who is most at risk for violence/abuse?
Of the total reported victims, 1,019 were girls, and 875 were boys. At least 62 newborns were found abandoned, either deceased or alive at various locations. Children aged 11 to 15 years were identified as the most at-risk group, comprising 33% of total cases. This includes 334 boys and 324 girls, signaling a disturbing trend that both genders are increasingly vulnerable.
“The data shows that children approaching adolescence face the highest danger, often being targeted in ways that go undetected by their guardians and the community,” said Manizeh Bano, head of Sahil, and a prominent child rights advocate.
The Dominance of Abduction in Abuse Cases
The most prevalent form of crime reported was abduction, accounting for 30% of all cases, followed by sodomy (17%), rape (15%), and missing children (9%).
In many of these cases, children were lured or forcefully taken from their homes or neighborhoods and subjected to multiple forms of abuse. A breakdown of overlapping crimes shows that 605 cases involved abduction or abduction-cum-murder, while 497 cases involved sodomy in various forms—gang sodomy, attempted sodomy, or sodomy following abduction. Rape and gang rape accounted for 453 cases.
Where Are These Crimes Happening?
Perhaps even more disturbing is where these crimes are occurring. In 47% of reported cases, abuse took place at the victim’s own residence. 16% occurred at the abuser’s location, and a significant number happened in public or ambiguous spaces, including streets, fields, markets, and schools.
In 23% of the cases, the place of abuse was not mentioned, indicating gaps in reporting that can further hinder prevention and prosecution.
The stats point to a chilling reality: the places where children should feel safest—their homes and neighborhoods—are increasingly becoming the sites of heinous crimes.
Who Are the Abusers?
The report once again shatters the myth that most perpetrators are strangers. In 49% of the cases, the abuser was someone known to the child or family—a relative, neighbor, teacher, or family friend. Strangers accounted for only 20%, while in 21%, the relationship status was not disclosed.
This reinforces the need to strengthen community-based monitoring and open channels of communication between children and adults they trust.
Child Pornography Cases on the Rise
Another deeply troubling trend is the rise in child sexual abuse linked with pornography. A total of 52 cases were reported, out of which 71% involved boys and 29% involved girls. These cases often coincide with other crimes like abduction and gang rape, suggesting an organized criminal element behind the exploitation.
Child Marriages and Vani Cases Persist
While not as numerous as other categories, 34 cases of child marriage and vani (the practice of giving girls as compensation in tribal disputes) were recorded. These cultural practices continue to persist despite legal prohibitions and global condemnation.
This is a gross violation of rights, often normalized under the guise of tradition,” said Manizeh Bano. “It is exploitation, plain and simple.”
Incest and Child Abuse Murders
Another dark corner of the report reveals 15 cases of incest and 31 cases where children were sexually abused and murdered. These numbers are not just statistics; they represent lives that ended in unimaginable violence.
Are Cases Being Registered?
Encouragingly, 83% of the cases were registered with the police, but 27 cases were not registered at all, and one case was outright refused by the police. In 15% of incidents, the registration status was not mentioned.
Rural vs Urban Divide
The rural-urban divide was also noteworthy. 59% of cases originated from urban areas, while 41% came from rural communities. Experts say this may be due to better access to reporting mechanisms in cities rather than a real difference in incidence.
Provincial Breakdown
In terms of geography, 72% of cases were reported from Punjab, 22% from Sindh, and 6% from all other provinces combined—including KP, Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Kashmir, and Islamabad.
Punjab’s dominance in reporting could be due to its larger population and more extensive media coverage, but it also points to the urgent need for region-specific interventions.
Solutions
Experts recommend a multi-pronged approach including stronger enforcement of existing child protection laws, wider awareness campaigns targeting parents, teachers, and religious leaders; mandatory reporting and punishment for institutions that fail to act; investment in child psychological services to support survivors; and most importantly training for police and judiciary on how to handle CSA cases sensitively
The rising statistics should serve as a call to arms for policymakers, educators, law enforcement, and civil society. The fight against child sexual abuse is not just about punishment—it is about prevention, protection, and the promise of a safe future for every child in Pakistan.