Islamabad, September 21
About 1.5 million children in Pakistan fall victim to online sexual abuse every year, according to a report by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). Most victims do not tell anyone what they faced, for fear of social stigma, shame, and the reaction of their family and society.
Zara Shah, 17 (name changed for her safety), was also targeted for sexual abuse after coming into contact with a stranger while playing an online game. According to her, the man acted friendly to win her trust, then asked to meet her and demanded nude photographs. She said that when she refused, he threatened to show their conversations to her family.
According to UNICEF, in about 85 percent of cases the perpetrator is someone the victim knows. The report says perpetrators win children’s trust through online games, friendly conversations, gifts, money or promises of love. About 71 percent of victims tell no one, and none of the survey participants had filed a formal complaint through the police, a helpline or a social worker.
According to Mehak Naeem, director of the child rights organisation Pehchaan, about 44 percent of reported cases take place entirely online, with Snapchat and WhatsApp among the most-used platforms. About 74 percent of children aged 12 to 17 in Pakistan use the internet, which makes online safety even more challenging.
Meanwhile, the Punjab government has proposed banning children under 16 from using social media. Digital rights activist Usama Khilji said such a ban would be difficult to enforce and could affect children’s freedom of expression.
Tahira Afrasiab, a spokesperson for Muslim Hands, said Pakistan has legal provisions to prevent the misuse of technology against children, but they have not been implemented effectively. Human rights lawyer Salman Afridi said people are exploiting economic vulnerability to sexually exploit children, using technology to win their trust, lure and threaten them, and even to produce and distribute material.
Shah said her experience, which began with an online game, has left her living in fear. “I was scared, and I am still scared,” she said.
(RSS/AFP)
