Dharan, April 23 -- Sabina was nine when a man from her neighbourhood began to sexually abuse her. The man lured her under the pretext of showing her a mobile phone, Sabina, now 17, recalled to the Post recently. Sabina, who lives in Dharan Sub-Metropolitan City, added she had never imagined that someone she had known since childhood would behave that way. He was the father of a close friend, and she regarded him as a father figure. Living nearby meant frequent visits, and she addressed him as "uncle", seeing him as a guardian.

"When I went to my friend's house to play, uncle would call me into his room-sometimes asking me to bring a key, sometimes offering to show me something on his phone," said Sabina, who the Post is identifying with...