Islamabad — The Sustainable Social Development Organization (SSDO) has released a fact sheet on violence against children in Punjab for the first half of 2025, revealing that an average of 23 cases were reported daily across the province. The data, obtained from district-level police records under the Punjab Transparency and Right to Information Act 2013, highlights severe gaps in child protection and justice.
Thousands of Cases, Few Convictions
Between January and June 2025, 4,150 child-related criminal cases were registered in Punjab. Of these, 3,989 were challaned and 3,791 remain under trial. Despite the volume of offences, only 12 convictions were recorded during the six-month period, underscoring critically low conviction rates.
Sexual Abuse and Beggary Cases Dominate
Sexual abuse accounted for 717 registered cases, with 658 challaned and 581 still under trial. The category saw 12 acquittals and 8 withdrawals but no convictions. Child beggary was the most frequently reported offence, with 2,693 cases registered. Nearly all remain under trial, with no convictions recorded.
Other Forms of Exploitation
Child trafficking registered 332 cases, resulting in four convictions. Child labour led to 182 cases and eight convictions, the highest among categories but still low compared to the scale of offences. Physical abuse (87 cases) and kidnapping (27 cases) produced no convictions. Child marriage remained severely underreported, with only 12 cases registered and no convictions or acquittals.
Regional Hotspots Identified
District-level data identified Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi and Sialkot as major hotspots for violence against children including abuse, exploitation and trafficking. Lahore recorded the highest numbers of sexual abuse, child beggary and trafficking cases, while Nankana Sahib, Gujrat and Mandi Bahauddin also showed elevated trafficking trends.
Call for Urgent Reforms to Protect Children
SSDO noted that while reporting mechanisms have improved, conviction rates remain alarmingly low. The organization called for urgent reforms, including stronger investigative capacity, fast-tracked trials, expanded child protection units, and awareness campaigns to encourage reporting. It emphasized that protecting children requires coordinated action across government and society to ensure justice and long-term safety.
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