Over 890 children sexually abused in Punjab in 2023

Pakistan’s biggest province, Punjab, witnessed an alarming increase of 69 percent in violence against children in the previous year. 

An annual report issued by the Sustainable Social Development Organisation (SSDO) reported that almost 891 children were sexually assaulted in Punjab in 2023.

On average, 17 children were raped in a week in the previous year, report revealed.

The cases have risen by 69 percent in 2023 compared to 2022 when 621 cases of child sexual abuse were reported in Punjab.

Lahore was spotted top in sexual abuse incidents with 346 cases, followed by Shaikupura and Bahawal Nagar, where 76 and 61 cases were reported.

Meanwhile, the number of children’s murders also increased in the province as at least 493 children were killed in different cases, an average of 9 children were murdered across the province every week.

As many as 61 cases of murders were reported in Lahore, 32 in Faisalabad, and 26 cases in Gujranwala.

However, the cases of children’s abduction cases were slightly decreased in 2023 with 2,534 cases, as compared to 2539 in 2022.

According to the statistics, at least seven children were kidnapped in a day. Lahore, Sialkot, and Gujranwala witnessed 840, 194, and 143 cases, respectively.

Moreover, as many as 108 cases of child trafficking were reported throughout the year.