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HYDERABAD, Nov 06 (APP):Speakers have said that the trauma of child abuse leaves lifelong emotional and physical scars on its victims and the silence surrounding the issue only deepens their suffering.
This they said while addressing a seminar titled “Child abuse” held on the other day at Prof. Sajjad Zakriya Hall, Centre for Rural Development Communication (CRDC), University of Sindh, Jamshoro.
According to the SU spokesperson, in his speech, social activist Shahjahan Memon stressed the urgent need for collective action to combat child abuse and end the social taboos that perpetuate silence.
He said society had largely failed to recognize the gravity of child abuse, leaving countless victims to endure lifelong pain. “The war against child abuse must begin at home through proper parenting,” he maintained.
He added that parents, teachers, society and the government should confront the issue openly. “It is a crime to abuse a child but it’s an even bigger crime to stay silent or blame the victim,” he said.
Mrs. Tania Shahjahan emphasized that parents must create open lines of communication with their children and equip them with knowledge to protect themselves. “Children are not always safe, even among close relatives or family friends”, she said and added that studies showed that the abuser was someone known to the victim in many cases.
She further urged that educating children about good and bad touch and giving them awareness about abuse should not be seen as immoral.
Earlier, Director CRDC Dr. Rashid A. Khuruh in his welcome remarks said the center had always encouraged meaningful discussions on pressing social issues through seminars and dialogues. “Raising awareness across all segments of society is the only effective way to address such issues. Today’s seminar is a positive step in that direction,” he said and lauded the efforts of CRDC’s faculty and students.
Famous novelist Kaleem Butt, Shoaib Ali, Azadi Chandio, Ayesha Khan and a large number of students also actively participated in the discussion.