Islamabad, March 17 (NationPress) The incidence of child abuse in Pakistan has alarmingly escalated by eight per cent in 2025, culminating in a total of 3,630 reported cases, according to local media sources citing a report from the child advocacy group Sahil.

The report indicates that, on average, more than nine children suffered abuse every day across Pakistan last year. The data compiled by Sahil illustrates a disturbing upward trajectory in child abuse incidents, underscoring the persistent difficulties in safeguarding children’s welfare in the nation, as reported by Pakistan Today.

In addition to the general increase in child abuse cases, the report also drew attention to the significant rise in Gender-Based Violence (GBV) incidents within Pakistan. The findings reveal a staggering 34 per cent increase in GBV cases in 2025, emphasizing the urgent need for strategies to combat violence targeting children and other vulnerable populations.

Sahil has been vigilant in tracking and reporting child abuse incidents in Pakistan, providing critical information to lawmakers and stakeholders working towards the protection of children's rights, as noted by Pakistan Today. The latest figures underscore the pressing need for heightened efforts to secure the safety and welfare of children in the country.

In February, a prominent minority rights organization brought to light a deeply troubling situation in Punjab province, where numerous children have been subjected to sexual abuse, pointing out that justice remains unattainable despite numerous formal complaints and identified perpetrators.

The Voice of Pakistan Minority (VOPM) disclosed that official statistics from 2025 unveiled a distressing reality, with 663 sexual abuse cases recorded across 45 police stations in the Faisalabad district of Punjab, implicating nearly 989 suspects.

“Despite the enormity of this crisis, one glaring fact persists: not a single individual accused in the cases registered in 2025 has faced conviction to date. This represents not merely a legal failure, but a profound moral and social tragedy,” the rights organization remarked.

The VOPM further highlighted the continuation of this disturbing trend in January, with 57 child sexual abuse cases reported and 76 suspects identified, while 23 cases remain under investigation.

The organization asserted that Pakistani authorities are grappling with an inadequate response, noting that the lack of convictions reflects critical structural weaknesses in the nation’s justice system.

“Ineffective investigations, subpar evidence collection, delayed or incomplete legal documents, and court backlogs severely hinder prosecution efforts. Simultaneously, survivors frequently receive minimal protection or psychological assistance, and accountability for negligence is scarce,” the VOPM stated.

“When cases are mishandled, offenders evade justice, and victims are left without hope. Behind the statistics of '663 cases' lie real children, frightened families, and survivors who are left in limbo waiting for justice. The delay in justice itself becomes another form of cruelty,” it emphasized.