Protect children from rape, sexual abuse
We are alarmed by the sharp rise in child rape cases across the country during the first seven months of 2025. According to Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK), cases have surged by nearly 75 percent compared to the same period last year. During this time, 306 girls were raped, up from 175 in the same period of 2024 and even exceeding the year's total of 234 cases. Even more horrifying are the ages of the victims: 49 were toddlers aged under 6, 94 were between 7 and 12, and 103 were teenagers. In 60 cases, the ages were not specified. During these seven months, 30 boys were also raped. The whole picture is deeply disturbing, laying bare the failure of the state and society to protect our children.
Evidently, child rape and abuse remain pervasive, with nearly nine out of ten rape victims in the country being children, according to another ASK report. Many incidents also go unreported due to social stigma and family pressure. Even when cases are filed, they often remain unresolved due to weak legal follow-ups, delays in investigation, and pressure from perpetrators to settle out of court. One example of the weakness in our legal system is the gruesome rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl in Magura. While the main perpetrator in this case was convicted, his accomplices were released. Although the Magura incident saw sheer outrage, with many taking to the streets demanding justice, we must keep in mind that such outcry is rare. The lack of public pressure could be one of the reasons why many cases do not end in conviction. Apart from rape, children also face other forms of violence, such as sexual harassment by stalkers and even by their teachers and close relatives, which highlights just how vulnerable they are to potential abuse.
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To address the situation, a stronger role from law enforcement and the judiciary is essential so that offenders cannot get away with impunity or feel emboldened. It is also crucial to strengthen victim and witness protection laws to encourage reporting. Silence around male rape should also be broken through open conversations at home, in schools, and in religious spaces, with support from respected voices in society. Community-based child protection groups can be formed to help prevent abuse at the grassroots level. Equally importantly, families must teach children about personal boundaries, respect, and potential dangers. Schools, too, should incorporate safety education into the curriculum and train teachers to safeguard children effectively.
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