Child Protection Authorities in Anuradhapura district expressed concern over the escalation of child abuse in the district.
District Child Protection Officer Mahendra Dasanayake said 491 complaints on child abuse have been received during the last six months and that there could be more incidents that have gone unreported.
Addressing a seminar for media personnel to raise awareness on ethical reportage of incidents of child abuse, he said Child Support Service 1929 has received 202 direct complaints and the Divisional Child Protection Officers have received 289 complaints.
“Added to these are 464 complaints received by the Child Care officers of the Department of Probation. Police, the Legal Aid Commission and hospital authorities have also received complaints on child abuse.
The complaints were on children who had been left without schooling, sexual harassments and neglecting or deserting children etc. The culprits have been brought to book,” the child protection official further said.
