10,620 girls and 7,242 boys were reported to have been subjected to abuse from January 2013-2017

ISLAMABAD: More than 17,000 children were subjected to abuse in the country from 2013 to 2017, according to statistics collected by child protection non-governmental organisation, Sahil.

The report, presented in the National Assembly on Wednesday, paints a grim picture of the society: as many as 17,862 children ? 10,620 girls and 7,242 boys ? were reported to have suffered abuse in the four years from January 2013-January 2017.

A total of 13,267 First Information Reports (FIRs) against child abuse were lodged with the police during the four-year period, the report stated.

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According to details pertaining to court convictions, 25 convicts were awarded death sentences while 11 convicts were given life sentences.

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As per data released by Sahil earlier, as many as 11 cases of child sexual abuse are reported from across Pakistan every day.

The NGO has been working since 1996 on child protection, with a focus on preventing child sexual abuse. It works towards its mission through advocacy, creating support systems for children, awareness on body protection, and enhancing legal and psychological services for victims of child sexual abuse.