I am writing to show my concern over closed eyes of the society towards child molestation.
The statistical data about child abuse in Pakistan exhibits a certain number of such cases. However, these are the incidents that are witnessed and reported. Many of them remain untold because of neglect and lack of proper care that a child needs. Some parents presume that their boys are safer than girls, leaving male children vulnerable. In some families, parents become more attentive towards one child, thus leave other one ignored. This negligence from parents makes the abused child keep it secret from what he/she had gone through. Maybe the child, who just went to mosque for Namaz, met someone there who abused him. Who knows he has become friends with an elder boy in school, who uses your child as a toy every day. There are also chances that the morally trusted guest in home with whom, your child is left alone, harasses your child sexually.
Being sexually abused once increases the chances of being harmed again or growing up as an abuser. In the future, it can also lead to courses of depression and unexpected behaviors.
The facts discussed above may sound bizarre but they are possible. Children can grow up in a safe environment when they get a needed attention from their parents. It has become a need for now that children should be taught by their parents, about the limits of relations and contact with others. Moreover, keeping an eye on children’s activities and questioning them about their day will help keeping them safe. Being open to your children about sexual issues will not only build a good relation but also help them speak to you about their problems.
Abdullah Bin Shahid
Karachi
