There are several cases regarding the child molesting or sexual abuse in the streets. Such incidents unveil increasing number of cases day by day. Our own local streets are no more secure. One of the recent cases is about a culprit identified as Waqas, who caught on a CCTV camera while molesting a little girl in the broad day light of Ramadan in the street of Lahore. Few days before, there was another viral video on social media about a man molesting little girls in the street outside their home. The little innocent girls were unaware of the act by the culprit. That was a heart wrenching scene.
Suppose, If the culprit might catch by the police and punished, then what?? what about the little girls who are sexually abused? Did the punishment help their mind to overcome the tragedy from which they go through?
Sexual abuse is a crime. It can have a large impact on mental health and well-being. Most of the parents are unaware to handle the mental health of their child. Children need special care and love to overcome the tragedy.
Two main issues which require immediate concern from parents include: Firstly, the parents need to guard their children and forbid them to not go alone in local streets specially in those areas where cases of molestation is high.
Secondly, after such incidents parents should focus on the psychological needs of their children .They should build confidence in them , and engage them in various healthful activities like sports and arts .It is essential that the personality of such children should not be constrained.
Khadija Begum, Islamabad