1.5 million children in Pakistan experienced online sexual abuse in a year — Dawn
In Pakistan, approximately 1.5 million children experienced online sexual abuse over one year, according to a report by the UN Children’s Fund UNICEF. This was reported by Dawn, citing AFP. UNICEF estimates that around 74% of Pakistani children aged 12 to 17 use the internet.
A 17-year-old girl, whose name AFP changed for safety reasons, said that a stranger began communicating with her during an online game. He later suggested meeting, demanded intimate photos and, after she refused, threatened to find her family online and tell them about their correspondence.
Most victims did not seek help
According to the UNICEF report, around 85% of perpetrators were known to the affected children aged 12 to 17. Daniel Kardefelt, the lead author of UNICEF’s global report, noted that abuse can begin with a friendly conversation, interaction in an online game, or promises of gifts, money or romantic relationships. According to him, offenders can spend months gaining children’s trust using information from social media.
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In Pakistan, 71% of victims did not tell anyone about what they had experienced. None of the surveyed children reported the abuse through official channels — the police, hotlines or social workers. Stigma, shame and fear of the reaction of family or society were cited as reasons for remaining silent.
Abuse on social media
Mehek Nayem, director of the rights organization Pahchaan in Lahore, said that around 44% of reported abuse cases occurred exclusively online, with Snapchat and WhatsApp among the most common platforms. According to her, girls are particularly vulnerable to sexual extortion, which can result in restrictions on movement or discontinuation of education.
Authorities in Punjab province this month adopted a resolution on banning children under 16 from using social media. Digital rights activist Usama Khilji opposed the restriction, saying it would be difficult to enforce and that children could circumvent the ban through VPNs. Representatives of non-governmental organizations and lawyers also point to gaps in legislation and weak enforcement of rules concerning technology-facilitated crimes against children.
