Integrated approach to reduce child abuse incidents

Wednesday, 28 May 2025 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Cabinet of Ministers at its meeting on Monday agreed to pursue an integrated approach to reduce child abuse incidents in the country.

Cabinet Spokesman and Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said the protection of children from abuse and all forms of violence has been identified as a prime principle in the policy commitment of the framework known as the National Policy Framework “A Safe World for Children – A Creative Future Generation,” which was approved at the Cabinet meeting held on 3 March.

He said several parties are involved in various ways in the protection of children within the Government mechanism. The Ministry of Women and Child Affairs, the Ministry of Health and Mass Media, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Higher Education and Vocational Education, the Ministry of Justice and National Integration, and the Sri Lanka Police play a prime role in this respect. The National Child Protection Authority provides the facilities to lodge complaints 24 hours a day. However, it seems that there are so many occasions that such complaints are not received.

On Monday, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by the Women and Child Affairs Minister to take the following steps, enabling swift involvement in such occasions.

Appointment of a Standing National Committee under the chairmanship of the Women and Child Affairs Ministry Secretary and comprising representatives of other relevant institutions.
Introduction of amendments to the Penal Code and Criminal Code, enabling the elimination of physical penalties against children.
In reporting all forms of violence and abuse that occur to children, the declaration of the media ethics system currently being drafted includes all appropriate provisions to prevent such victims from experiencing frequent occurrences of harassment.
Obtaining swift intervention from the National Authority for the Protection of Victims of Crime and Witnesses, the Secretariat for Non-Governmental Organisations, and the Sri Lanka Telecommunications Regulation Commission to regulate activities performed by media institutions and social media communicators in such a way that damages the identity of child victims.