Pakistan faces alarming surge in child abuse as nearly 2,000 cases reported in six months
Islamabad, August 7
Pakistan recorded a disturbing rise in crimes against children during the first half of 2026, with 1,914 cases of child abuse reported, according to a report released by child protection organisation Sahil, as reported by Dawn.
According to Dawn, 49 infants were found abandoned in separate incidents during the January-June period, while child sexual abuse remained the most commonly reported crime with 1,015 cases. The data also documented 558 abductions, 101 cases involving missing children, and 35 child marriages.
The report was prepared using information published in national and regional newspapers from Pakistan's four provinces, along with Islamabad Capital Territory, Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) and Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan (PoGB).
Girls accounted for 58 per cent of the victims, while children between 11 and 15 years of age emerged as the most affected group. Among the reported victims, 598 were aged 11-15 years, followed by 356 children between 16 and 18 years. Another 329 victims were between six and 10 years old, while 95 children were aged five years or younger. The ages of 487 victims were not disclosed in the available records.
The findings further indicated that perpetrators were frequently known to the victims. Acquaintances were identified as alleged abusers in 43 per cent of reported cases, while strangers accounted for 34 per cent. Nearly 45 per cent of abuse incidents occurred inside victims' homes, compared to 18 per cent at the suspects' residences. Three per cent of cases took place in open fields, while the location was unspecified in 21 per cent of incidents, as highlighted by Dawn.
Urban areas accounted for 57 per cent of reported cases, compared with 43 per cent in rural regions. Punjab recorded the overwhelming majority of incidents at 80 per cent, followed by Sindh with 15 per cent, while the remaining five per cent were reported from other parts of the country, as reported by Dawn.
— ANI
Reader Comments
The fact that 43% of abusers are acquaintances and 45% of incidents happen inside the victim's own home makes my blood boil. Children are supposed to be safest at home. 49 abandoned infants too... who are these monsters? 😢 No child deserves this fate, no matter which country they are born in.
Sad state of affairs. While we often focus on border tensions and political differences, this shows how similar our social problems are. We in India also struggle with child safety issues. I hope the Pakistani authorities take this seriously - these are innocent lives being destroyed. 1,015 cases of child sexual abuse in 6 months is a national emergency if I've ever seen one.
This is devastating. 58% victims are girls, and most victims are 11-15 years old - that's the most vulnerable age. 35 child marriages on top of everything else! The child protection system in Pakistan clearly needs urgent reforms. We should stand with them on this issue, humanity comes first. 🙏
Before we point fingers, let me say this - even in India, we have similar problems in many states. Child abuse doesn't have a nationality. But 1,914 cases in 6 months is a serious red flag for Pakistan. The data shows almost half the crimes happen in homes - that means their legal protection and social awareness systems are failing these children badly.
The most chilling stat here is that 45% of abuse happens in victims' homes. That means the abusers are family, relatives, neighbours -
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