She said that the reason that it seems child abuse incidents have increased, is mainly due to such incidents being exposed.

Allegations against the previous government:

Under the current situation when asked what measures the Ministery of Women and Child Affairs has taken to address this situation she said, the previous government did not have a proper mechanism in order to prevent child abuse and as such the incidents of child abuse had increased.

However, she said now Women and Child units have been set up at all police stations in order to combat child abuse.

She further stated that through the Right To Information bill and also the freedom given to the media, child abuse cases can no longer be concealed.

Tightening laws futile

However, despite stringent laws against child abuse the rate of children being subject to sexual abuse is increasing daily, while sexual abuse cases are piling up in courts, according to police.

Police stated that the majority of students subjected to sexual abuse was by married men.

They also stated that incidents of child porn photos being displayed have also increased.

No Increase

However, when contacted an official and the Child Protection Bureau stated that there has not been an increase in child abuse cases.

The theme for World Children’s Day is Protect Us with Love.

The official World Children’s Day celebrations organised by the Women and Children’s Bureau was held at the Kegalle St. Joseph Balika Vidyalaya under the patronage of Minister Chandrani Bandara.

Pradeepa Weerasekara