Pakistan: 1.5 million children face online sexual exploitation

online sexual abuse UNICEF report child protection Pakistan cyber exploitation

A UNICEF report reveals that an estimated 1.5 million children in Pakistan, aged between 12 and 17, experienced online sexual abuse in a single year. The findings highlight a significant rise in digital risks as internet access expands across the country.

According to the report, approximately 85% of perpetrators were known to the children they targeted. Abuse often begins through seemingly ordinary interactions, such as online gaming, friendly conversations, or promises of gifts and romance. Perpetrators frequently use social media to gather personal information to manipulate or threaten victims.

Reporting rates remain critically low. The report states that 71% of victims did not disclose the abuse to anyone, and none of the children surveyed utilized formal reporting channels such as the police, social workers, or helplines. This silence is largely attributed to stigma, shame, and fear of social or familial consequences. Mehek Naeem, director of the Lahore-based organization PAHCHAAN, noted that about 44% of reported abuse occurred entirely online, with platforms like WhatsApp and Snapchat being frequently used.

Entities

Daniel Kardefelt · Mehek Naeem · PAHCHAAN · Pakistan · UNICEF

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[DISPUTED] About 85% of perpetrators were known to the children they targeted. nayadaur.tv · mediabites.com.pk · imazpress.com · thefrontierpost.com
[● 4 SOURCES] Approximately 1.5 million children in Pakistan faced online sexual abuse within one year. nayadaur.tv · mediabites.com.pk · imazpress.com · thefrontierpost.com
[● 4 SOURCES] Approximately 44% of reported abuse occurred entirely online. nayadaur.tv · mediabites.com.pk · imazpress.com · thefrontierpost.com
[● 4 SOURCES] Zero children surveyed reported their abuse through formal channels like police or social workers. nayadaur.tv · mediabites.com.pk · imazpress.com · thefrontierpost.com
[● 4 SOURCES] Snapchat and WhatsApp are among the most frequently used platforms for such abuse. nayadaur.tv · mediabites.com.pk · imazpress.com · thefrontierpost.com
[● 4 SOURCES] 71% of victims in Pakistan did not disclose the abuse to anyone. nayadaur.tv · mediabites.com.pk · imazpress.com · thefrontierpost.com

Sources

1. 5 million Pakistani children sexually exploited online: UNICEF [nayadaur.tv]

about 7 hours ago

‘I live in fear’: 1. 5 million Pakistani children sexually exploited online [mediabites.com.pk]

about 7 hours ago

1. 5 million children in Pakistan at risk of online sexual exploitation - OnlineKhabar English News [english.onlinekhabar.com]

about 5 hours ago

Sur l'internet pakistanais, 1,5 million d'enfants victimes de violences sexuelles [imazpress.com]

about 6 hours ago

’I live in fear’: 1. 5 million Pakistani children sexually exploited online [thefrontierpost.com]

about 8 hours ago