Clinical Psychologist Sanya Aziz took to her social media to share the disturbing number of cases against children who are victims of child abuse in Gilgit-Baltistan.
According to her tweet, every second child is a victim of sexual or physical abuse or is at high risk. Moreover, most cases go unreported because the abuser is a family member or someone close.
Often, for the sake of the family’s respect (log kya kaheinge) the cases are kept hush-hush and the abusers getaway, planning to get hold of their next victim.
‘Based on My clinical experience from GB every second child has been sexually and physically abused or at high risk. Sadly families don’t report it because most of the culprits are either someone they know or relatives’ tweeted the doctor.
Based on My clinical experience from GB every second child has been sexually and physically abuse or at high risk .
Sadly families don’t report it because most of the culprits are either someone they know or relatives.
— Sanya #MentalHealth4GB (@SnyaAziz) November 26, 2022
Sanya Aziz adds that children who are most likely victims of abuse grow up to abuse others and the cycle continues. Through this, violence and abuse are passed from generation to generation.
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A child who is abused is more likely to abuse others as an adult so that violence is passed down from one generation to the next. #harassmentinGB
— Sanya #MentalHealth4GB (@SnyaAziz) November 26, 2022
She called out to the government pleading that Gilgit-Baltistan needs anti-harassment and domestic abuse helplines and mental health helplines for children and women who have suffered from different forms of abuse.
We need two things in GB Asap
1. anti-harassment and domestic abuse helplines
2. Mental Health HelplinesTheses can surely help our children and women if they have ever suffered from sexual harassment/domestic violence and mental health issues . #HarassmentCaseInGB #Gilgit
— Sanya #MentalHealth4GB (@SnyaAziz) November 26, 2022
Social Media Reactions
Here’s how the readers and followers responded:
‘The GB govt should also introduce a child protection unit same as other provinces in the country to address these issues. Create awareness with the use of helpline numbers, and advertisements. It will help each individual to register complaints.’ Wrote user @zetsbrown.
The GB govt should also introduce a child protection unit same as other provinces in the country to address these issues. Create awareness with the use of helplines numbers, advertisements. It will help each individuals to register complaint’s.
— Ziauddin Shah (@zatsbrown) November 26, 2022
‘Agreed….Child abuse and rape are common these days. The misery is that they are not even discussed, hidden behind the veil of tribal or communal honour..Alas! Wrote Twitter user @Alpha_Zadeed.
Agreed….Child abuse and rape are common these days.The misery is that they are not even discussed, hidden behind the veil of tribal or communal honor..Alas!
— Marshall (@Alpha_Zadeed) November 27, 2022
‘Sex frustration, late marriages and porn site access are the main causes of child abuse. Govt should teach sex education and punishments awareness.’ Shares Naeem Aftab.
sex frustration ,late marriages and porn site access with andriod is the main causes of child abuse .govt soulde teach sex education and punishments awareness.
— Naeem Aftab (@naeembalti) November 28, 2022
On the other hand, Aziz shared that child abuse is nothing new in the province. ‘Sexual harassment of boys is not new in Gilgit; if you ask male students who have done their studies in Gilgit if they have ever been sexually harassed, 90% will say yes. We need to speak about bacha Bazi culture in Gilgit and men making boys dress up as girls for entertainment.’ Claims Amina Bibi.
Sexual harassment of boys is not new in Gilgit; if you ask male students who have done their studies in Gilgit if they have ever been sexually harassed, 90% will say yes. We need to speak about bacha Bazi culture in Gilgit and men making boys dress up as girls for entertainment.
— Amina BiBi (@AminabibiNoor) November 25, 2022
With rape and assault cases on the rise, Pakistanis are worried about what the future holds for their children and families who are potential victims of this disgusting act.
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