Nine in 10 victims of child abuse lose interest in studies

By Saman Indrajith

Less than 10 percent of children continuously engaged in their studies as before following their victimization in cases of child abuse, parliament was told yesterday.

Responding to a question by JVP-led NPP MP Dr Harini Amarasuriya, Education Minister Prof GL Peiris said from Jan 1 this year upto Sept 23, the National Child Protection Authority had received 6,063 complaints of child abuse incidents.

Out of those complaints only 3,900 of which the investigations were completed. Out of the number of cases only 330 for which prosecution has been initiated.

Asked to inform the House of the number of such children living with their family members, the minister said adding that 396 children have deserted them. Such children are referred to the custody of a trustworthy relative or to Child Development Centers.

Asked to inform the House of the number of children who continuously engaged in their studies as before as a percentage, the Minister said it was 9.1 percent.

The minister said that the figures relating to the cases of child abuses were not satisfactory and the government had taken several initiatives including introducing nine child High Courts in the provinces. Currently there is one Child High Court at Anuradh-apura, the minister said adding that courts would be upgraded by providing them with more human resources and physical resources including upgrading the infrastructural facilities.

Minister Prof Peiris said 777 child victims had been provided with psychosocial assistance by properly trained personnel.