Nearly 1 in 16 internet-using children aged 12-17 in Pakistan experienced at least one form of technology-facilitated sexual exploitation and abuse in a single year - equivalent to approximately 1.5 million children - according to new research from the UNICEF Office of Research - Innocenti, ECPAT International, and INTERPOL, funded by Safe Online. The report, "Disrupting Harm in Pakistan: Evidence on Technology-Facilitated Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse," draws on a nationally representative household survey of children aged 12-17 and their parents and caregivers, interviews with frontline and justice professionals, and an analysis of laws and policies to examine the scale and nature of technology-facilitated child sexual exploitation and abuse in Pakistan.
The research provides valuable insight into children's experiences, the circumstances in which abuse can occur, and the barriers they may face in accessing help and protection. The forms of abuse documented include unwanted sexual images or conversations, requests to share images of private parts, the sharing of children's images without their permission, threats or blackmail involving such images or sexual activity, and the use of artificial intelligence to create fake images or videos.
"The digital world should be a safe space for children. We must shift from asking children simply to avoid risks to building stronger systems that prevent abuse and hold perpetrators and digital platforms accountable. Every child has the right to learn, connect, and explore the digital world safely and with confidence, knowing that the systems around them are working to protect them from exploitation and abuse," said Pernille Ironside, UNICEF Representative in Pakistan.
"In Pakistan, Disrupting Harm brings important evidence on the realities children face online and the gaps that must be addressed to keep them safe. Through Safe Online's $15 million investment across 25 countries, we are committed to turning evidence into meaningful action to address these critical challenges. We commend the Government of Pakistan, ECPAT, INTERPOL, UNICEF, and local partners for their leadership," said Marija Manojlovic, Executive Director of Safe Online.
The report highlights the extent to which technology-facilitated sexual exploitation and abuse remains hidden in Pakistan. More than half of the children subjected to technology-facilitated sexual exploitation and abuse did not tell anyone, while none of the surveyed children reported to formal avenues, including helplines, social workers, and the police. Community stigma, victim-blaming, and a lack of trust in police keep children and their families silent. Abuse is never a child's fault.
This highlights the need for safe, confidential, and accessible ways for children to seek help and support. "The survey shows girls and boys in Pakistan have been subjected to technology-facilitated sexual exploitation and abuse at similar rates, but their experiences can differ significantly. For boys, stigma and expectations around masculinity can mean they are overlooked as victims and discouraged from speaking about what happened. Recognising and responding to boys' unique experiences must be part of effective child protection," said Andrea Varrella, Head of Programme: Justice and Child Rights at ECPAT International.
In 85 percent of the incidents cited by children in the report, the perpetrator was someone the child already knew, challenging the perception of online abuse.