Safe houses for abused children
by Ananda KANNANGARA
Safe houses and foster homes will be opened in all provinces to
provide safety and care for abused children, according to the National
Child Protection Authority (NCPA).
Reports indicated that 878 children between the ages of 10 and 16
years and 200 children under 10 years were abused in 2009.
During this period, 494 sexual abuse cases and nearly 600 rape cases
were reported from various parts of the country.
NCPA Chairperson, Anoma Dissanayake told the Sunday Observer that
abused children who are sent to these safe houses will be well looked
after by provincial probation officers under the guidance of the NCPA.
She said safe houses will be established at calm and quiet
surroundings in collaboration with provincial probation officers.
"We have decided to open the first safe house in the North Central
Province and thereafter in all provinces including in the North", she
said.
She said the NCPA is also seeking individuals who are willing to look
after such children. It is prepared to pay these individuals for the
upkeep of these children.
Dissanayake also said a special fund will be opened under the NCPA
Act to enable those who are interested to make donations for the welfare
of children.
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