Child sexual abuse and exploitation have been an ongoing issues in Sri Lanka for many years, and unfortunately, the numbers continue to rise each year. According to reports, there were 11,187 cases of child abuse reported in 2021, which is a significant increase from the previous year's (2020) 8,165 cases. Furthermore, last year (2022), the number of reported cases was 10,497. However, these statistics may not accurately represent the actual extent of the problem, as many cases go unreported due to the fear of social stigma and retaliation.
It is saddening to note that girls are often the most vulnerable to sexual abuse and exploitation, with over 60% of the reported cases involving female children. The age group most affected is between 11 to 15 years, accounting for nearly 50% of the reported cases. These numbers are deeply concerning, and immediate action should be taken to protect the children of Sri Lanka from such atrocities.
The Western Province had the highest number of reported cases of child sexual abuse, followed by the Southern Province and the Central Province. These regions have a high population density, and poverty is widespread, making children vulnerable to abuse and exploitation. Unfortunately, the Covid-19 pandemic has only worsened the issue, with a significant increase in incidents of online child sexual abuse and exploitation from 322 incidents in 2020 to 812 incidents in 2021.
To address this issue, the Sri Lankan Government needs to adopt a comprehensive and multi-pronged approach, which includes strengthening laws on child protection, implementing strict regulations that protect children from all forms of abuse and exploitation, and ensuring that perpetrators of child abuse are held accountable for their actions. The Government must also work towards increasing penalties for those who violate these laws to serve as a deterrent to potential offenders. The Government must seriously consider developing victim centred policies and practices. This should involve paying attention to victims, refraining from re-victimisation and re-traumatising them, and systematically focusing on their safety, rights, wellbeing, and expressed needs.
Furthermore, it is crucial to provide survivors of child abuse with access to counseling, therapy, and medical care. Survivors of child abuse often experience depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, addiction, and other mental health issues that need to be addressed. It is essential to provide them with appropriate care and support to aid in their recovery and healing.
In addition to this, it is crucial to increase awareness among parents, teachers, and caregivers on how to identify signs of abuse and how to report it. The school administration and civil society organisations can play a vital role in raising awareness. The awareness and education programmes must include the importance of safeguarding children's rights and the negative impacts of child abuse. The Government should prioritise training professionals who work closely with children, such as teachers, social workers, and health care providers, so that they can recognise and report cases of abuse.
Family members, teachers, and religious leaders are among the criminals who have done wrong to children under their care. This is a sad state of affairs. Sex education among children may be a protective measure to escape from these criminals. Why is there reluctance from the authorities to introduce age appropriate sex education in primary schools? This will also discipline the teachers who are targeting innocent children.
Further, investing in public education and awareness campaigns can create a safe and nurturing environment for children. The campaigns should aim to educate the public on the negative impacts of child abuse and the importance of safeguarding children's rights. Parents should be made aware of the importance of teaching their children about the “good touch” and “bad touch” and how to report any incidents of abuse. Parents need to know how crucial it is to teach their kids the difference between good touch and bad touch at a young age, irrespective of the gender, and how to report any instances of abuse. Such campaigns will go a long way in creating a safer environment for children.
The Government must also work towards providing the necessary resources and support to agencies and organisations that are working to prevent child abuse and exploitation. These organisations play a critical role in identifying cases of abuse, providing support and assistance to survivors, and raising awareness about the issue. They need to be provided with the necessary resources and support to continue their important work.
Another important aspect to consider is the need to address the root causes of child abuse and exploitation. Poverty, lack of education among parents, mothers’ migration to foreign countries for employment, and unemployment are significant factors that contribute to the vulnerability of children. Therefore, the Government must work towards addressing these issues and towards providing equal opportunities for all children in Sri Lanka. When poverty alleviation programmes are implemented by the Government, the priority should go to the families that are most vulnerable and that have many children.
It is crucial to involve communities in the fight against child abuse and exploitation. Communities can play a vital role in preventing child abuse and exploitation by creating a safe and nurturing environment for children. Educating communities on the issue is essential as it helps to raise awareness of the problem and the need to take action to prevent it. By educating communities, people will learn how to identify signs of abuse and how to report it. It also helps to create a culture of accountability, where everyone is responsible for the safety and protection of children.
Communities should also be encouraged to take an active role in preventing child abuse and exploitation. They can do this by reporting any incidents of child abuse that they come across, supporting survivors of abuse, and advocating for policies and laws that protect children. It is essential to create safe spaces where children can feel secure and protected, and communities can help to create these spaces. By working together, communities can create a network of support for children and families affected by child abuse and exploitation. They can also help to reduce the risk of abuse by addressing underlying issues such as poverty, the lack of education, and social inequality. Involving communities in efforts to prevent child abuse and exploitation is essential for creating a safe and nurturing environment for children. Without waiting for the law to punish perpetrators after they commit a crime, the community also has a duty to recognise potential offenders and take action against them. In this regard, religious leaders and places of worship may have a big role to play.
The increase in child sexual abuse cases in Sri Lanka is a pressing issue that demands immediate attention. The Government can take a comprehensive approach to safeguard children from abuse and exploitation by involving the community in efforts to prevent such cases, increasing awareness and education, strengthening the laws, and providing support for survivors. It is crucial for the Government to prioritise this issue and take concrete steps to protect children from harm, and continue to do so in the future. In conclusion, the rise in child sexual abuse cases in Sri Lanka must be addressed urgently through a multifaceted approach that involves all stakeholders in the community.
(The writer is the Senior Project Officer of Protecting Environment and Children Everywhere [PEaCE]/End Child Prostitution in Asian Tourism [ECPAT] Sri Lanka)
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect those of this publication.