LAHORE: The Punjab Home Department on Thursday officially launched a major awareness campaign titled ‘Safe Children, Safe Punjab’ aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and promoting their safety across the province.
Following directives from Punjab Chief Minister, the campaign began with the release of the first episode of a specially created animation series focusing on educating children about “Good Touch, Bad Touch.”
The campaign introduces two characters, Haya and Bahadur, who engage children with simple messages encouraging them to identify and report inappropriate physical contact. A key slogan featured in the series is, “We will not be afraid of those who touch us badly.”
The Home Department spokesperson emphasized the critical need to educate children about personal safety and to help them recognize acceptable versus inappropriate physical behavior in a positive and empowering way. “With proper education and awareness, children can better protect themselves and report abuse,” the statement said.
Parents and teachers are urged to play an active role in teaching children how to safely report incidents of sexual abuse, whether at home or elsewhere.
The department stressed that sexual abuse can leave lifelong trauma on victims and highlighted the state’s responsibility to protect children and bring offenders to justice.
The campaign also involves the Child Protection and Welfare Bureau, which has been tasked to carry out extensive awareness drives. A letter has been sent to the Education Department requesting the integration of the “Good Touch, Bad Touch” concept into school curricula.
Civil society reports reveal alarming statistics, with 3,364 cases of child abuse reported nationwide in 2024, mostly affecting children aged 11 to 15. Boys were reported to be more frequently victimized than girls.
Recent incidents, such as the tragic suicide of a 17-year-old girl in Muzaffargarh after alleged sexual assault, and the arrest of suspects in a gang rape case of a mentally challenged minor in Lahore, underscore the urgency of the campaign.
The Punjab Home Department called on the public to join hands in this vital effort to create a safer environment for the province’s children and future generations.
