Speakers at a training session on the prevention of child abuse on Sunday said 12 children are getting sexually abused in Pakistan every day.

Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF), a German non-profit organisation, organized the session.

The speakers also pointed out that 4,253 child abuse cases were reported in 2022, which was 30 per cent increase from 2021, according to a statement issued by FNF Pakistan as quoted by Dawn News.

The session was attended by teachers, social workers, lawyers, students, journalists and representatives from different relevant departments.

Child rights expert Imran Takar briefed the participants on different aspects of child abuse.

He told Dawn News child abuse often led to various psychological problems, causing victims to grow up fearful and experience mental health issues.

FNF Pakistan’s head of the programme Mohammad Anwar stated that symptoms of sexual abuse included frightening behaviour such as nightmares, depression, abnormal fear, attempts to run away, and development of extremely inappropriate sexual behaviour for the child’s age.

He pointed out that 50 per cent of child abuse victims were acquainted with their abusers, who could come from any class, caste, religion or ethnic group.

He added the abuser could be a man, woman, child, acquaintance of the child, or a complete stranger.