Move to avert sexual abuse

by S.M. Wijayaratne, Kurunegala Cor.

The Ministry of Child Development and Women's Affairs has taken steps to set up child development and Women's development units at Divisional Secretariat level island-wide.

The aim of this is to co-ordinate the program launched by the government to ensure child and women's welfare. "There is a rapid increase in the incidence of child abuse and sexual harassment of women and children. During 2014, a well-planned program to minimise the number of such cases would be held.

By educating the youth including schoolchildren, it is hoped that this social vice could be largely minimized. Religious dignitaries of all faiths would be consulted in devising ways and means of instilling a sense of caution and care in the vulnerable sections of the society.

The police in Kurunegala and Puttalam districts have registered 415 cases of child abuse and sexual harassment of women and teenagers during 2013.

The Ministry of Child Development and Women's Affairs has decided to deploy 45 special investigation officers to visit schools, orphanages, children's Homes, Elders' Homes islandwide this year. Over 15 instances in which those who were running orphanages and Elders' Homes were found guilty of committing sexual harasments on their inmates were reported last year.

They were all convicted after being prosecuted. Senior teachers in government schools would be educated and trained on legal procedures and enabling them to deal with complaints on child abuses in schools said, W.E. Jayathilake, former Bingiriya Divisional Secretary at a meeting of child development officers of the Kurunegala District recently.