Pakistan being the signatory to the UN CRC is obliged to protect the children from abuse and sexual exploitation. The main reasons behind child abuse appear to be frustration, culture, media, drug addiction, poverty and lack of education. Following legislative measures address the child abuse.
- Provisional Suppression of Prostitution Ordinance 1961.
- The Punjab Children Act 1983.
- The Sindh Children Act 1955.
- Pakistan Penal Code
- Marriage Restraint Act 1929.
- Hadood Ordinance 1979.
According to the recently conducted study on domestic child abuse by GALLUP, Pakistan for
NCCWD, following were the major findings:
- Among the abused children nearly half (50%) come from middle class, 40% from lower and 10% from upper class.
- In most of the cases the abusers are found to be acquaintances.
- Mostly the abused children fall in the age group of 6-14.
- Common impacts of abuse include Post traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety.
- In is found that children who are homeless, at work places, in jails, in madrassas are more prone to abuse.
- Parents or the relatives of the abused child due to the fear of disgrace avoid police and court.
Goals To Be Achieved
- Policy and Plan of Action for safeguarding the rights of the children at District, Provincial and National level.
- Capacity building of the governmental and NGOs sector.
- Social advocacy and awareness raising.