Child Sexual Abuse in Pakistan: A Phenomenological Study on Parental Understanding and Prevention Strategies for Child Protection

ABSTRACT

Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) is widespread and pervasive in Pakistan, presenting a significant threat to a child’s physical health, psychological well-being, and overall development. This study aimed to empirically substantiate the understanding of parents regarding CSA and their utilized preventive strategies. The study utilized Social Ecological Theory to gain a deeper comprehension of the phenomenon. Data was collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews with 18 parents from Islamabad capital city, using a qualitative phenomenological research approach along with thematic analysis. Results reveal that most of the parents were highly aware of the most common aspects of sexual assault and molestation, but they were unaware of the more manipulative subtle forms such as “grooming.” Additionally, they had a limited understanding of the long-term consequences of sexual abuse. While many parents knew about the option of involving the police in cases of abuse, they were unaware of helpline services and the availability of psychological support. In terms of prevention, most parents employed an integrated approach involving various preventive measures, such as educating their children about appropriate and inappropriate touch. These findings underscore the importance of implementing public-focused initiatives and community-based programs to enhance parental awareness, knowledge, and capabilities in preventing CSA in Pakistan.

KEYWORDS:

• Child sexual abuse
• Parental awareness
• Preventive strategies
• Child protection

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Data availability statement

Data will be available upon reasonable request to the

Additional information

Funding

The authors didn’t receive any funding for this study.

Notes on contributors

Muhammad Ammad Khan

Muhammad Ammad Khan is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Development Studies, School of Social Sciences and Humanities (S3H), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan.

Erass Kamal

Eraas Kamal is a Postgraduate Student, at the Department of Development Studies, School of Social Sciences and Humanities (S3H), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan.

Rukham Nisar

Rukham Nisar is a Postgraduate Student at the Department of Development Studies, School of Social Sciences and Humanities (S3H), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan.

Samana Batool

Samana Batool is a Postgraduate Student, at the Department of Development Studies, School of Social Sciences and Humanities (S3H), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan.

Inbisat Faisal

Inbisat Faisal is a Postgraduate Student at the Department of Development Studies, School of Social Sciences and Humanities (S3H), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan.