A 15-year-old girl named S****** N****** was referred to the Child Protection Institute (CPI) by the Women Police Station on December 28, 2024, for temporary shelter and safety. What appeared at first to be a routine case of a missing child soon revealed layers of vulnerability, emotional manipulation, and systemic neglect—issues faced by many children living in fragile circumstances.
S******, the eldest of five siblings, came from a low-income family. She had to discontinue her education due to financial pressure when she was in Grade 6 and started working alongside her mother in domestic households to help make ends meet. But beneath this quiet sacrifice was a child carrying too much responsibility, too soon.
During her psychosocial assessment at CPI, S****** shared that she had been manipulated and emotionally coerced by a man who took advantage of her trust and naivety. Caught between confusion, fear, and misplaced hope, she left her home and approached the person’s family—only to be rejected and left emotionally devastated. After a second attempt to escape the emotional chaos at home, S****** was found near Faisal Masjid by a concerned couple, who ensured she was handed over to the police. The magistrate, recognising her age and the seriousness of the situation, issued orders for her protective custody at the CPI.
At the Child Protection Institute, S****** was embraced with care, dignity, and professionalism. She received a safe space, basic needs, and consistent psychosocial support to begin her recovery. A dedicated team at CPI launched efforts to trace her family, coordinating with the Rawalpindi Police. With no contact numbers available and only vague location details, a field visit was organized. During the first attempt, the CPI team met only her younger sister. A second visit finally connected them with her father, who was informed of CPI’s address and the legal requirements for her return.
The family visited CPI soon after, and through a carefully guided legal process, including court hearings and case assessment, S****** was officially reunited with her parents. The court monitored the handover to ensure her reintegration was carried out in the best interest of the child.
Today, S****** is back home—safe, protected, and surrounded by her family. Her journey is not just one of personal survival—it is a testament to the vital role institutions like CPI play in the lives of vulnerable children. From crisis to care, CPI stood by her, offering not just temporary relief but a path to healing and hope.
