A new perpetual dilemma in Pakistan
When children are young their entire world revolves around their parents and primary care givers who can provide all sorts of support to them. Parents are the primary source of security, love, care, understanding, nurturance and support. Child abuse, however, is a dilemma across the world and defined as the physical, sexual or emotional maltreatment or neglect of children. Another therapeutic term that is used in combination with child abuse is ‘interpersonal victimisation’. In simple words interpersonal victimisation is any harm that comes to individuals because other humans have behaved in ways that violate social norms.
Pakistan, however, has stumbled upon a its biggest child abuse case in history, discovering about four hundred video recordings of two hundred and eighty children in the state of Punjab. Officials have called for a federal inquiry into what is termed as the largest child abuse case in the history of Pakistan involving around three hundred children.
It is gruesome to even think of children being drugged and hit with weapons before being forced into performing various sex acts that are recorded on camera. Childhood sexual abuse infringes on the basic rights of human beings. Children should be able to have sexual experiences at the appropriate developmental time and within their control and choice. The nature and dynamics of sexual abuse and sexually abusive relationships are often traumatic. When sexual abuse occurs in childhood it can hinder normal social growth and be a cause of many different psychosocial problems.
It is gruesome to even think of children being drugged and hit with weapons before being forced into performing various sex acts that are recorded on camera
The International Covenant of Economic, Social and Cultural rights general comment no.14 on Article 12 of the Covenant which safeguards the right to healthcare states that “States should provide a safe and supportive environment for adolescents, that ensures the opportunity to participate in decisions affecting their health, to build life skills, to acquire appropriate information, to receive counselling and to negotiate the health-behaviour choices they make. The realisation of the right to health of adolescents is dependent on the development of youth-friendly health care, which respects confidentiality and privacy and includes appropriate sexual and reproductive health services.”
Psychologically speaking, the negative impact of child abuse on adult mental health has been documented for over 150 years. The psychological impact of abuse on a child depends on a range of factors, including: the type of abuse, the severity of abuse, the relationship of the child to the abuser/s, the child’s family environment and their relationship with their parents or other caregivers, and whether the child has previous experiences of abuse, or a history of support, care and love. These factors can soften, or exacerbate, the impact of abuse on a child’s psychological wellbeing, and the likelihood that they will develop mental illness later in life.
Child abuse violates the trust at the core of a child’s relationship with the world. When the primary relationship is one of betrayal, a negative schema or set of beliefs develops. This negative core schema often affects an individual’s capacity to establish and sustain significant attachments throughout life. Survivors often experience conflicting relationships and chaotic lifestyles, frequently report difficulties forming adult intimate attachments and display behaviours that threaten and disrupt close relationships.
A number of studies have explored the relationship between childhood trauma and later health concerns. Research has found that childhood abuse contributes to the likelihood of depression, anxiety disorders, addictions, personality disorders, eating disorders, sexual disorders and suicidal behaviour. The long term effects of child abuse are far-reaching, without the right support the effects of childhood abuse can last a lifetime.
Some common psychological effects that are widely seen in child abuse cases are Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, dissociation, panic attacks, personality disorders and various eating disorders. All these children who suffer from this horrendous event will experience some sort of psychological trauma for the rest of their lives and will make them vulnerable to many other mental health illnesses. The impact of child abuse does not end when the abuse stops and the long-term effects can interfere with day-to-day functioning.
However, it is possible to live a full and constructive life, and even thrive – to enjoy a feeling of wholeness, satisfaction in life and work as well as genuine love and trust in your relationships. Understanding the relationship between the prior abuse and current behaviour is the first step towards ‘recovery’.
The effects of childhood abuse last into adulthood and counsellors need to be well trained in order to provide proper support to the victims
When these children who have survived the traumatic child abuse will grow up to be mature adults, their lives as seen in this case will be characterised by frequent crises like job disappointments, relocations, failed relationships, financial setbacks, etc. Many will be the result of unresolved childhood abuse issues. The reasons are complex, but for many survivors ongoing internal chaos prevents the establishment of regularity, predictability and consistency. Many survivors function in ‘crisis mode’ responding with stopgap measures which don’t resolve the underlying issues. This can be exhausting and dispiriting and contribute to feelings of helplessness and hopelessness.
As this is a prevailing issue in the country these days, with this knowledge, it is imperative that the authorities should take strict action against this gruesome calamity that has befallen us and counsellors and therapists of our country should increase their knowledge regarding childhood sexual abuse. Child trafficking and childhood sexual abuse is a traumatic experience that has many consequences throughout the person’s life. The effects of childhood abuse last into adulthood and counsellors need to be well trained in order to provide proper support to the victims.
