Airtel Lanka joins fight against child abuse with Sri Lanka College of Paediatricians

In an effort to reduce the incidence of child abuse and neglect, Bharti Airtel in partnership with the Sri Lanka College of Paediatricians is launching a booklet which outlines the knowledge, skills and attitudes that are required of parents and teachers to help protect children from abuse and neglect. 

Child abuse constitutes a social problem that affects all societies of the world. A recent study by the World Health Organization points out that millions of children suffer some form of abuse and require medical and social attention. Child abuse and neglect is not a new phenomenon; it has been around since the beginning of time. It leads to exposure to unnecessary suffering and actual or potential damage to health and development. The effects last a lifetime. The aim of this book is to address the issue of child abuse and neglect from a multidimensional perspective. The reader will find details of the different forms of abuse and neglect being addressed with a view to making the reader understand the subject. It also empowers the reader with the skills needed to help children protect themselves from abuse and neglect.    

Bharti Airtel has partnered with the Sri Lanka College of Paediatricians (SLCP) in this latest effort towards corporate social responsibility. Sharing her views, Sri Lanka College of Paediatricians President Prof. Asvini D. Fernando stated, “Child abuse and neglect has become a major concern for all responsible citizens of the country. Research based data suggests that the perpetrator of abuse is a known trusted adult in over 90% of instances. Fathers, mothers, uncles, grandparents, teachers, and even religious dignitaries have been involved.  This makes the issues related to child abuse and neglect extremely complex. Having dealt with these victims over  several decades and seen the adverse effects on the child and family the child protection subcommittee of the Sri Lanka College of Paediatricians, decided that a prevention program is the need of the hour. It is therefore very timely that Airtel has come forward to partner with the SLCP on this project.”   

“In my view, there is nothing more vicious and outrageous than the abuse, exploitation and harm of the most vulnerable members of our society,” says Airtel Lanka CEO/MD Suren Goonewardene. “Therefore, we view it as critical to help children; we must also strengthen parent/child bonding, improve communications, and help parents/caregivers manage many environmental challenges.  Child abuse and neglect is sometimes the result of a parent who reaches the end of their frustration and tolerance level. If we can give parents tools to deal with an infant who is particularly challenging with their crying, we will have taken an important step toward our prevention mandate. And so this booklet has been published, and a toll free hotline has been established, based on the belief that the community should share in the responsibility of responding to child abuse allegations.

Together SLCP and Airtel stand unanimous in their view that expertise and energies should be utilised for a well planned prevention program. There are several activities planned. This booklet for parents and teachers regarding child abuse and neglect is one arm of the whole project.  The next step would be a booklet for children with the aim of teaching them how to protect themselves. Many more projects are to be launched in the near future to ensure that this country becomes a better place for children to live in.