A Silent Crisis: Child Abuse and Exploitation in Pakistan

 Byline: Mishal Zia

Dateline: 2nd December 2021 — Islamabad, Pakistan

ISLAMABAD — Child abuse and exploitation in Pakistan in 2021 revealed a distressing crisis hidden beneath the surface of official statistics and public discourse. Tens of thousands of minors suffered sexual abuse, abduction, exploitation, and violence, often at the hands of people they knew, while the government’s response remained inadequate and justice elusive. This investigative report draws together documented events and expert reports from 2021 to expose the scale of the problem and the systemic failures that have let children down.

Alarming Scale of Abuse in 2021

In 2021, comprehensive data from the child protection NGO Sahil revealed that at least 3,852 children were sexually abused across Pakistan during the year. This figure includes 2,068 girls and 1,784 boys, meaning that on average more than 10 children were abused every day in 2021. The reported forms of abuse included rape, gang rape, sodomy, gang sodomy, abduction, and murder following sexual assault. At least 22 boys and 18 girls were murdered after sexual abuse, and dozens of children were reported missing from their homes. The report further indicated that in the majority of cases, the perpetrators were known to the victims or their families, underlining how abuse often occurs close to home. 

The same report also documented 58 cases of early child marriage and seven cases of Vani, a traditional practice where children are given in marriage to settle disputes. Children were abused at home, in acquaintances’ houses, in educational settings such as madrasas, at workplaces, and in public spaces, illustrating how pervasive and unconstrained the violence was. 

Digital Exploitation and Online Abuse

2021 also saw a rise in online sexual exploitation of children. Reports based on global data showed that Pakistan was among the countries with the highest number of online child sexual abuse material (CSAM) reports, with over 2 million online reports in 2021 alone. Criminals used social media and digital platforms to target and exploit minors, creating and distributing exploitative content that spread far beyond national borders. This phenomenon underscored how technological change has added new dimensions to child exploitation that existing laws and enforcement mechanisms struggle to address. 

Regional Variations and Patterns

In the Kasur district of Punjab, official records revealed that the area led the country in reported child abuse and pornography cases in 2021, with nearly 298 cases out of 2,275 across Pakistan linked to child sexual abuse and exploitative imagery. Investigators reported the widespread dissemination of exploitative images of minors, yet law enforcement’s response and conviction rates remained dismally low. 

Deepening Crisis of Exploitation

Child exploitation in 2021 was not limited to sexual abuse. Abduction, forced labour, trafficking, and coercion were also rampant. While detailed national figures for 2021 alone are limited, later reports show how pervasive the problem has become: in 2024, thousands of incidents of child violence, abduction, forced labour, and sexual abuse were recorded in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa alone, highlighting ongoing systemic abuse across the country. 

The available data for Islamabad revealed that 200 child sexual abuse cases were registered between 2021 and mid‑2025, underscoring how persistent and unresolved these crimes are. Out of the 567 sexual abuse cases reported in this period, a significant portion involved children, yet convictions were rare, with only a small number of offenders ever brought to justice. �

Human Cost and Trauma

The human cost of child abuse and exploitation in Pakistan is devastating. Children who endure sexual violence often suffer lifelong psychological trauma, physical injury, and social stigma. Many victims face rejection by their communities and families, while deep emotional and developmental harm can undermine their ability to lead healthy, productive lives. The loss of trust in adults and institutions compounds the suffering, leaving survivors to navigate a future shaped by trauma.

Abduction and trafficking further expose children to extreme danger. In many reported cases, children were taken from their homes or neighbourhoods and forced into labour, sexual servitude, or trafficking rings, with families desperate for information or justice but receiving little support from authorities.

Critique of Government and Legal Response

Despite the scale of child abuse and exploitation, Pakistan’s law enforcement and justice systems have largely failed to protect children or hold perpetrators accountable. Conviction rates in child abuse cases remain alarmingly low, and many offenders are never prosecuted or punished. Police and judicial agencies often lack the training, resources, and urgency required to investigate and prosecute cases effectively, allowing criminals to evade justice.

Laws designed to protect children exist on paper, but enforcement is inconsistent, and victims and families frequently face barriers when seeking help. Social stigma, lack of awareness, fear of retaliation, and victim‑blaming attitudes further discourage reporting. Authorities often treat child abuse as isolated incidents rather than as systemic violations requiring coordinated national action.

Conclusion: An Unresolved Crisis

Child abuse and exploitation in Pakistan in 2021 revealed a nation in crisis. Thousands of children suffered physical, sexual, and emotional harm, often at the hands of people they trusted. The proliferation of online abuse added a new and dangerous dimension to child exploitation.

The government’s and society’s response has been insufficient. Weak enforcement, low conviction rates, and systemic indifference allow abuse to continue unchecked. Protecting children must be a national priority. Laws must be strengthened and enforced rigorously. Law enforcement must be trained and resourced to investigate these crimes effectively. Educational campaigns must challenge stigma and encourage reporting. Without urgent action, the future of Pakistan’s children remains at grave risk.