• family members emerged as the most common perpetrators, accounting for 33% of the total occurrences

In January of this year (2024), a disturbing trend of violence against children was uncovered as reported by various media outlets. A total of 55 incidents were documented involving a total of 60 child victims across six main categories of abuse. Sexual abuse emerged as the most prevalent form of violence, comprising 19 cases. The neglect of children was a close second category with eight reported cases, followed by physical abuse with six cases. Gender disparities were also apparent in the data, with 22 female victims and 21 male victims identified. The gender of 17 victims remained unspecified. Among the victims, 21 were in the 11 to 14 years age group, while 13 were in the 15 to 18 years age group.

Types of child abuse incidents

In the analysis of data on violence against children reported by the media in January, it is clear that sexual abuse emerged as the most prevalent form of violence, with 20 victims accounting for nearly 35% of the total incidents. Following closely behind was neglect, with eight reported instances making up 15% of the total incidents. Physical abuse was the next most common, with six reported incidents representing 11% of the total. Two cases of attempted murder and one case of homicide were also reported, accounting for roughly 5% of the total incidents. Neglect was further highlighted with nine victims, comprising 15% of the total reported incidents. Additionally, unspecified forms of violence, not categorised above, constituted the highest percentage of reported incidents, with 20 cases making up 33%. Overall, there were a total of 55 total victims, which represented 100% of the reported incidents.

Out of the 60 child victims affected by violence, it is evident from the data that there is a noticeable distribution among various age groups. Children aged 11 to 14 years bore the brunt of these incidents, making up 35% of the total cases. About 22% of the victims belong to the age group of 15 to 18 years. Children aged six to 10 years followed closely behind, accounting for 18% of the incidents. The age group of one to five-year-olds make up 10%. Infants from newborn to 12-months-old constitute 5% of the cases. There were also instances where the age was not specified, which represent 10% of the total cases.

As per media reports from January, the breakdown of incidents involving victims based on gender is as follows: there were 21 cases involving male victims, constituting 35% of the total cases, and 22 cases involving female victims, making up 37% of the total. Furthermore, there were 17 instances where the gender of the victims was unspecified, accounting for 28% of the reported incidents. In terms of the number of victims, there were slightly more female victims reported than male victims (22 cases versus 21 cases).

Out of the documented incidents, individuals acting alone were responsible for 31 cases, accounting for 56% of the perpetrators. These individuals included family members, peers or schoolmates, persons with formal authority like teachers, intimate partners, strangers and others. Thereafter, 13 cases (24%) involved violations that could be attributed to different groups. These groups were classified as family members, strangers, and individuals with unknown affiliations. In two incidents (4%), the responsible party could not be identified. Sadly, in nine cases (16%), the children themselves were responsible for the self-inflicted harm, which included suicide and going missing. It is also noticed that in 4% of the cases, the perpetrator's identity remained unknown.

In-depth analysis

An in-depth examination of the data on violence against children exposes notable trends related to the perpetrators involved in the incidents. Out of a comprehensive analysis of 55 cases, family members emerged as the most common perpetrators, accounting for 33% of the total occurrences. Family members in this context surrounded a wide range of relations, including parents, siblings, uncles, aunts, and grandparents. Strangers were identified as the culprits in 18% of the cases, while instances of self-inflicted harm by the children themselves were reported in 13% of the situations. Other categories comprised perpetrators classified as unknown (9%), individuals with formal authority, such as teachers or school personnel (4%), intimate partners of victims (4%), and peers or schoolmates (2%). This breakdown sheds light on the diverse dynamics at play in cases of violence against children.

Among the 55 incidents of violence against children reported, the majority occurred in the home setting, accounting for 25 cases (45%). Following this, incidents in a community setting in a public space such as a street, park, place of worship, religious institution, etc., were reported 16 times, making up 29% of the total incidents. The unknown accounted for seven incidents (13%), while the medical, rehabilitation and care facility setting reported two incidents (4%). Only one incident each was reported in the digital space and digital platforms setting as well as the education or vocational training facility setting, both contributing to 2% of the total incidents. Additionally, three incidents (5%) fell under the category of 'other'.

The data on incidents of violence in various Districts is analysed as follows: the Colombo and Kalutara Districts had the highest number of incidents, attributed to nine cases, making up 16% of the total incidents. The Jaffna District followed closely behind with six cases, representing 10%. The Badulla, Gampaha, and Kurunegala Districts each had four cases, contributing to 7% of the total incidents. The Anuradhapura, Batticaloa, and Ratnapura Districts recorded three cases each, accounting for 5% of the total. The Galle and Mullaitivu Districts reported two cases each, while Mannar, Matale, Matara, Monaragala, Nuwara Eliya, and Polonnaruwa had one case each, indicating 2% of the total incidents.

(Protecting Environment and Children Everywhere (PEaCE) / End Child Prostitution in Asian Tourism (ECPAT) Sri Lanka is a non-Governmental organisation focused on child protection by way of ending the sexual abuse and exploitation of children)

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The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect those of this publication.