Walk for our children

By Devin Jayasundera

Sri Lanka’s premier child rights expert and Former Chairman of the National Child Protection Authority Prof. Harendra de Silva voiced concern on the upsurge in child harassment and abuse occurring in the country. “When it comes to sexual harassment of children, what we can see only is the tip of the iceberg and more than two-thirds of the actual state is submerged,” noted Prof. de Silva.

In reference to some figures on child abuse, Prof. de Silva revealed that 10 per cent of girls and 20 per cent of boys are sexually abused. “It is important to note that abuse of boys has more dangerous repercussion than girls as they are much more prone to replicate these activities when they are adults.”  He also added that according to the Attorney General’s Department, it is reported that for the year 2011, more than 4,000 cases were filed for serious sexual offences and a third of it amounted to child abuse.

Prof. de Silva used the term ‘intergenerational vicious cycle’ to express how sexual harassment among children can be passed on through generations and create a societal destruction of values and morals.  “People who are subjected to child abuse have a higher tendency to be more promiscuous. This leads to prostitution and homosexuality, in fact 40 per cent of commercial sex workers have been victims of abuse.”

He added that the increase of post traumatic stress disorder is much more common among child abuse victims and has a higher tendency to turn these victims into rapists and serial killers.

In regard to victim protection, Prof. de Silva insisted that court procedures should be non-traumatic and be of minimal effect to the psychology of the victims. “Laws are in place for the use of video evidence and CCTV cameras in court procedures but how effectively these are used to protect the victim is not known.”

The rise of child sexual harassment has a close link with the effectiveness of criminal justice system of the country. The criminal justice system fails if impunity exists and rule of law in not upheld.

He requested the public to be more active participants for this cause and not to be a ‘passive perpetrator’ where many would be indirectly responsible for the destitute situation of the protection of children.