Incest is when sexual or emotionally inappropriate behavior happens between family members, especially involving a child. It is not just about sexual desire but also about control, secrecy, and manipulation. There are two main types: physical incest, which involves direct sexual contact, and emotional incest, which involves unhealthy emotional closeness that confuses the child’s role in the family. Both types are forms of abuse that can affect a person’s mind and emotions for a long time.

In Pakistan, incest is strongly condemned by both religion and cultural norms, yet many cases are kept secret. Families often hide abuse due to fear of shame or dishonor, and the legal system is not always strong enough to protect victims. Estimates suggest that most cases are never reported. One tragic example is the Okara case in 2025, where a 20-year-old woman was raped by her father, and when she gave birth, both she and the baby were killed. This shows how silence and fear can let abuse continue without punishment.

Incest often happens in families where boundaries are unclear, parents are controlling or absent, and men have unchecked power. Cultural taboos and secrecy prevent children from speaking up. Victims face severe mental and emotional problems, including anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress, and even suicidal thoughts. Women and men who experience incest often carry the trauma into adulthood, which affects their relationships and emotional health.

Stopping incest requires awareness and action. Families should maintain clear boundaries, teach children about consent and safety, and support victims emotionally. Society must encourage reporting abuse without shaming victims, and the legal system must punish offenders strictly. Breaking the silence, educating children, and reducing harmful family power dynamics are essential to protect children and prevent abuse from continuing across generations.