A case study of social workers` experiences regarding child sexual abuse prevention programs in Lahore

Abstract

The cost of leaving children completely sexually unaware is seen to result in misinformed, confused individuals, and an incontrollable increase in sexual abuse cases. One of the most effortless crimes, certain never to come out and certainly the most heinous, child sexual abuse is more rampant than any statistics can reveal (Pakistan: IRIN Special Report on Child Sexual Abuse, 2014). This study explores the social workers’ experiences regarding child sexual abuse prevention programs in Lahore, the need to introduce them in schools as part of regular curricula and the departments required to take responsibility for a long term educational program to combat the problem. For this purpose, one-to-one interviews were held with four social workers currently working on the prevention of child sexual abuse in Lahore. The collected data were generated into categories based on their similarities and differences and a conclusion was drawn. It was revealed that the problem of child sexual abuse in Lahore and all over Pakistan is rooted in lack of awareness of the frequency and magnitude of sexual abuse of children and its consequences. Additionally it is a lack of reporting and witness protection systems, a lack of proper channels and clear reporting procedures for the victim or complainant to follow. All the respondents unanimously stressed on the importance of the government to make child sexual abuse prevention programs mandatory to be taught in every school, college and university across board. They stressed on the importance of child sexual abuse prevention programs being made part of regular school curriculum.