The Assistant Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection, Sashi Kiran, addressed Parliament last Friday, highlighting alarming statistics that indicate five out of six children in the community experience abuse.
During her end-of-week statement, Kiran emphasized the urgent need for the nation to improve its child protection efforts. She noted studies suggesting that many children who endure abuse are likely to become abusers in the future.
She recounted a troubling case in which a 13-year-old accused of committing an offense was herself a victim of rape at six years old, perpetrated by her grandfather, who is currently imprisoned for the crime. Kiran stressed that if abused children do not receive proper rehabilitation and support, they risk perpetuating a cycle of abuse, which is already prevalent in the community.
Kiran pointed out the disparity in how society treats victims and perpetrators, stating that while offenders may receive second chances, abused children lose their innocence and suffer lifelong trauma. She expressed concern about the difficulties in counseling and rehabilitating young victims, especially infants subjected to traumatic experiences by those who should protect them.
Moreover, Kiran criticized the tendency of society, family, and community members to blame victims instead of providing them with compassion and a nurturing environment conducive to healing.
She reiterated that each instance of abuse leaves lasting trauma and underscored the responsibility to address these issues and develop protective mechanisms. Kiran called for deeper community engagement and urged stakeholders, community organizations, and agencies to collaborate in raising awareness and creating comprehensive, community-based solutions to protect children and reduce instances of child sexual abuse.