- CPF Founder Milani Salpitikorala weighs in on possible causes
The report also stated that the coronavirus pandemic has resulted in the escalation of violence against women and children in Sri Lanka too. A survey done in Sri Lanka shows that 76.8% of the respondents experienced verbal abuse, while 7.8% encountered physical and 5.6% sexual violence. The survey further revealed that 49% of the perpetrators were neighbours, followed by parents at 25%, and intimate partners at 24%.
These numbers, however, do not represent the prevalence of the problem, as data on family violence during the Covid-19 pandemic is currently scarce because most cases are not reported to services or authorities. In conversation with Cinnamon Gardens Police, we were informed that no statistics have been released since the lockdowns were put in place. Several attempts to contact the recently appointed Police Media Spokesperson Nihal Thalduwa in order to confirm this statement, were unsuccessful.
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Attorney-at-Law and Child Protection Force Founder Milani Salpitikorala[/caption]
Attorney-at-Law and Child Protection Force Founder Milani Salpitikorala observed that since the recent opening of wine stores, the amount of calls she received on domestic abuse has increased. She commented that she cannot confirm whether this increase is necessarily due to the wine stores opening, as liquor was available on the black market throughout lockdown, but it just seems like an unfortunate coincidence. She also observed that upon these victims reporting it to the police, they are simply told that they should tolerate the abuse because the perpetrator is their husband/father.
On this note, we asked Salpitikorala how the Police can better themselves in order to offer actual help to these women and children. “This needs to come from the Police training institute. Instead of people who aggravate emotions of anger within the Police, we need officers who are certified and qualified to train the Police,” she noted. She also added that lawyers who are well versed in the field of domestic violence laws should also partake in training of the police.
Within the Police training institute, she stated that it is important to train things like mindfulness, and the understanding of how they can improve themselves through the police training institute. “Women officers especially need to work on self improvement; a happy employee is an efficient employee,” she said.
How to get help
Salpitikorala noted that the most important factor when getting help is to know one’s rights: “These victims must know that they have a right to make the complaint and the police are obligated to report the complaint.” She also added that it is best to have a lawyer – preferably one that is well versed in the laws preventing domestic abuse – when going to the police to make a complaint.
Salpitikorala also urged neighbours to keep watch for signs of domestic violence: “If you hear your neighbours fighting and see a woman or child being abused, then reach out to civil society organisations available to women so they can inform the police and take legal action.”
The prevention of domestic violence act in Sri Lanka and in terms of assault, the penal laws will protect victims of abuse, she stated, adding that there are also child protection laws in place to prevent such occurrences.
Rehabilitation for preparators
Sri Lanka needs to promote men’s mental health and have it readily available for those willing to seek help. Salpitikorala suggested that advertising slogans like “Do you hit your wife?”, “What makes you angry?”, and “What frustrates you in the household?” will help men understand their problems and will promote them reaching out for help.
She also noted that instead of looking at this issue from a victim mindset, it is important to approach the problem from the grassroot in order to strengthen the family. “If we can identify what exactly the issue is – for example, mental health issues, alcohol or substance issues, financial issues – we can then empower grassroot level offices to help resolve these relevant issues,” she commented.
It is important that we don't change the mandate that these offices like women's counseling and early childhood development have whenever the Government changes. “We need to empower these offices and have a proper mandate that works for the state and the people,” she commented.
Another factor that needs to change from the grassroot, Salpitikorala noted, is the mentality that we have to worship the patriarchy as gods. “Because of this, women have the mindset of helplessness: ‘What can I do, he's my husband’ or ‘What can I do, he's my father’,” she explained.
Nobody deserves to go through abuse; not just women, men too, experience violence, and they should also file charges, Salpitikorala expressed, adding that it is high time we as a society grow out of our patriarchal mindset and remove ourselves from these situations.
If you feel that you or someone you know may be dealing with sexual abuse and/or violence, the following institutions would assist you:
National Child Protection Authority helpline: 1929
Ministry of Child Development and Women’s Affairs helpline: 1938
Women In Need (WIN) 24-hour hotline: 077 567 6555
Sri Lanka Police Child and Women Bureau: 011 244 4444