Colombo sounds alarm over rising child abuse, but lacks means to fight it
Over 3,000 cases in the first four months of 2023, Matara district the most affected. Called for more efforts to create a safe environment. But the National Authority for Child Protection, which has been taking care of the youngest children since 1929, today has only half the staff it would need.
Colombo (AsiaNews) - The National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) revealed that 3,102 incidents of child abuse were reported in Sri Lanka in the first four months of this year. The highest number of cases was recorded in March (1,026) while in the whole of 2022 there were a total of 10,497.
These are worrying figures on the strength of which the body is calling for collective and concerted action to ensure the implementation and enforcement of laws to prevent such abuse.
The figures were presented during a workshop, held at the NCPA last week, with the aim of raising media awareness on child protection issues in Sri Lanka. In detail, director Sajeewani Abeykoon, revealed that at least 600 complaints are collected every month. "In 2022, 185 cases of serious sexual harassment were reported, in addition to 729 cases of child sexual harassment, 167 cases of rape and 132 cases of child trafficking."
On the geographical breakdown other data was provided today by the PEaCE (Protecting Environment and Children Everywhere) organisation ECPAT Sri Lanka: among the districts of Sri Lanka, Matara (in the south) recorded the highest rate of child abuse, at 9 per cent, followed by the districts of Kalutara, Monaragala and Ratnapura, each with 7.7 per cent.
'Many cases,' ECPAT Sri Lanka writes in its bulletin, 'are still not reported due to a lack of awareness and understanding of the problem, as well as the fear and shame of the victims. This highlights the need for greater efforts to raise awareness about child abuse and create a safe environment in which victims can report abusive situations."
Since 1929, the NCPA has been active in Sri Lanka to collect complaints. But Director Sajeewani Abeykoon also mentioned that the organisation is supposed to have 618 employees, including zonal officers; but currently it only has 288, which is less than half the required number.
Despite their efforts to address the problem by requesting assistance from the government, state authorities and higher officials, no action has been taken on the vacancies. "We believe that facilities working for the defence of children should be given priority, but our situation has unfortunately worsened due to the severe shortage of staff."
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