The abuse went on for several days until a kind police officer found out about me and tipped the Child Protection Bureau. Where Hadia’s story is alarming, it is certainly not rare in a country where hundreds of children are maid victims of abuse and violence every day. During the same time, over 51 child marriages and 331 cases of child abduction were also reported in the region. While over 68 cases were reported in Islamabad Capital Territory, Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Balochistan combined. On the other hand, unofficial statistics reveal a further 20 per cent increase in violence against children during the days of coronavirus-induced lockdowns, when victims were often forced to stay with their abusers.

Source: The Express Tribune November 23, 2020 04:07 UTC