News
Child protection guardian falling behind on abuse shame
The number of child abuse complaints filed with the agency tasked with protecting children from abuse has skyrocketed to 11,187 in 2021, from an average of 8,500 complaints over the past 10 years.
This is a jump of around 3,022 complaints from 2020 when there were 8,165.
The figures indicate an increased number of sexual harassment cases reported to the National Child Protection Authority’s child friendly hotline 1929.
Accordingly, 1,332 cases of alleged sexual abuse have been reported in 2020 of which 947 are related to sexual harassment, 246 sexual abuse and 123 incidents of rape.
Last year, the number of sexual harassment cases reported to the NCPA stood at 518 with 286 incidents of rapeand 373 sexual abuse.
A recent study on child sexual abuse cases reported by patients in a Colombo teaching hospital found that children in the north and those belonging to the lowest economical strata along the coastal areas where tourists frequent, were vulnerable.
In a five-year study between 2015 and 2019 among 164 children and adolescents presented to the Judicial Medical Officer for alleged sexual abuse, it was found that 82.9% were females, among whom, 67.5% were above 12 years.
Most perpetrators were known (94.5%) to the child and this has resulted in delayed disclosures of up to one year, leading to multiple incidents of abuse, penetration, and psychological problems in children.
The study has emphasised the need to assess the extent of child sexual abuse in the southern and northern regions where paedophiles and perpetrators seek to target vulnerable children.
Meanwhile, the police grave crime abstract report noted 1,653 cases of statutory rape (rape of children under 16 years) in 2020.
The data on child sexual abuse are scattered and there is no one database through which the extent of the problem in the country can be gauged.
UNICEF, in a recent report on its website, said that with no evidence-based data, it was hard to fathom the depth of the problem. It said insufficient data and hard evidence makes it hard for policymakers to assess and react to challenges on the ground making it difficult for communities to identify and respond early to the needs of children.
Any help extended, it said, will be based on empirical data, independent evaluation, rigorous research and thoughtful analysis.
In February 2021, the COPE audit members slapped the NCPA on the wrist and directed that it put its house in order.
The recommendations included establishing a formal policy on child protection that was approved in October 2019 and setting up a national database, overdue by 20 years. 
Also, it was asked with clearing the backlog of cases. There are 42,073 unresolved cases from the last 10 years.
NCPA Director General, Anoma Siriwardene said Sri Lanka Telecom was assigned to set up a national database in 2021.
Also, from next month, it is planning to introduce a five-year national action plan to protect children from abuse.
Plans are also underway to introduce a video recording unit at the Ragama Hospital next month.
Video evidence of victims’ complaints will be recorded for court cases.
The rise in the number of cases in 2020 was due to the NCPA accommodating complaints beyond its mandate.
In keeping with the decision made by former chairman Prof. Muditha Vidanapathirana, complaints on minor acts of abuse are also recorded and included in annual statistics.
The cases will be followed up and action taken in terms of psychosocial support and counselling.
Grave crimes, however, will be forwarded to the police for action.
There is a backlog of over 40,000 unresolved cases over a span of 10 years between 2011 and 2019.
Of the 79,259 complaints in that time, only 37,185 cases have been finalised and 42,073 not resolved.
Every day, the NCPA receives an average of 40 complaints, adding to the pile.
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