Sahil, an organisation working towards developing an environment free from child abuse and neglect, has recently released figures revealing that 3,630 cases of child abuse were reported in 2025, which is an 8 per cent rise from the year before. This cycle of outrage and complacency is, unfortunately, a major reason why cases of child abuse refuse to go down. Until and unless the public demands justice and the criminals are not allowed to get away with such heinous acts, society will only continue to normalise child abuse. An alarming facet of child abuse is the fact that many perpetrators are not strangers but rather acquaintances, neighbours and even immediate relatives. Schools should also introduce mandatory child safety education, and law enforcement agencies must treat abuse cases with the urgency and sensitivity that they so rightly deserve.

Source: The Express Tribune March 16, 2026 20:46 UTC