The Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child (SPARC), in its annual report has stated that cases of child abuse are on the rise in Pakistan, and states that around four children are sexually abused in the country everyday.
Jahanzeb Khan, regional manager of SPARC speaking at the launch of the annual report titled ‘The State of Pakistan’s Children-2006’ at the Press Club here said people have failed to protect their children and the Pakistan Government has also failed in its effort to check child abuse."Indeed we have failed in protecting our children, and the government is least interested in the implementation of child rights-related laws," the Daily Times quoted Khan, as saying.
The SPARC report said that family members, including fathers, stepfathers, uncles and elder siblings, abuse 47 per cent of children.
People either known to the child or their family, like teachers, coaches, physicians, clerics and neighbours, commit 49 per cent of the sexual assaults, the report said.
"Around 75 per cent children who are victims of commercial sexual exploitation belong to the middle-class," said the SPARC report.
The report also highlighted that Pakistan had the highest maternal and infant mortality rates in South Asia, with an estimated 10 million children working to earn a livelihood.
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Source-ANI
LIN/M
