More than 3 thousand cases in the first four months of 2023, the Matara district is the most affected. Greater efforts are called for to create a safe environment, but the National Child Protection Authority, which has cared for the little ones since 1929, today has only half the staff it would need.
Colombo () – The National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) revealed that in the first four months of this year, 3,102 cases of child abuse were registered in Sri Lanka. The highest number of cases was registered in March (1,026) while in all of 2022 there was a total of 10,497. These are worrying figures and for this reason the entity calls for collective and concerted action to guarantee the implementation and compliance with the laws to prevent these abuses.
The data was presented during a workshop held at the NCPA last week, with the aim of raising media awareness of child protection issues in Sri Lanka. Director Sajeewani Abeykoon explained that at least 600 complaints are received every month. “In 2022, 185 cases of serious sexual harassment and 729 cases of minor sexual harassment, 167 cases of rape and 132 cases of child trafficking were reported.”
Regarding the geographical distribution, the organization PEaCE (Protecting Environment and Children Everywhere) ECPAT Sri Lanka today provided more data: among the districts of Sri Lanka, Matara (in the south) registered the highest rate of child abuse, equivalent to 9 %, followed by the districts of Kalutara, Monaragala and Ratnapura, each with 7.7%. “Many cases – states ECPAT Sri Lanka in its newsletter – still go unreported due to lack of awareness and understanding of the problem, as well as fear and shame on the part of the victims. This demonstrates the need for greater efforts to raise awareness of child abuse and provide a safe environment for victims to report abuse situations.”
Since 1929, the NCPA has been in charge of receiving complaints in Sri Lanka. But Director Sajeewani Abeykoon also noted that the institution should have 618 employees, including zonal officers. However, at this moment it only has 288, that is, less than half the required number. Despite her efforts to address the problem by seeking help from the government, state authorities and senior officials, no action has been taken regarding the vacancies. “We believe that the structures that work for the defense of children should have priority, but unfortunately our situation has been aggravated by the great shortage of personnel.”
