Combating child sexual abuse and exploitation in Pakistan - a story of 20 years

Child sexual abuse (CSA) is the least understood and least explored child rights violation in Pakistan. Attempting to define CSA is perplexing in Pakistani context where clarity even on definition of child is nonexistent. Various legislations define upper age limit differently, thereby creating chaos and confusion regarding definition of child. Consent is another central issue linked up with age dilemma. However, at societal level, there is zero tolerance against CSA. In 1998, Child Rights Committee of Pakistan Pediatric Association (CRC-PPA) decided to take up CSA as a strategic priority area …