Over 5,000 cases of child sexual abuse reported in Punjab over six years

More than 5,000 cases of child sexual abuse have been reported in Punjab over the past six years, according to a report.

The report states that between this period, a total of 5,761 incidents of sexual abuse against underage boys and girls were registered across the province. It further revealed that 638 of these cases involved gang rape of minors.

According to the data, police nominated 9,524 suspects in cases involving sexual abuse of children. However, 1,073 of these accused could not be arrested. In gang rape cases, 1,710 suspects were named, out of whom 258 remain at large.

The report added that charge-sheet (challan) have been filed in 5,756 cases related to the sexual abuse of minors. In cases of gang rape involving children, challans have been filed in 518 cases, while 334 cases are still under investigation and one case remains untraced.

The figures highlight the scale of crimes against minors reported in the province over the past six years and the challenges faced in bringing all accused to justice.