Debate rages over how to deal with child abuse in Sri Lanka

( july 25, 2012) The problem of child abuse in Sri Lanka has been ignored for years say activists and campaigners. But following a string of scandals involving politicians and other groups, Sri Lanka has found itself debating a subject previously off limits. Government figures show that 80 percent of rape cases involve victims below the age of 18. Last year, authorities received 20,000 complaints of child sexual abuse with most of the few studies on the issue claiming a steady rise in reported cases over the past decade. In recent weeks, the government itself has been implicated. Last month, a 13-year-old girl was allegedly gang raped by a group of men that included a municipal council official in the southern coastal town of Tangalle. And in a separate incident the same month, a local government councillor stands accused of raping a 14-year-old girl over a period of two days. Then, less than two weeks ago, a soldier allegedly raped a six-year-old girl. In response, the ruling Sri Lanka Freedom Party announced last Wednesday it had suspended four party members accused of sexual offenses against women and children. Meanwhile, newspapers continue to run regular reports of sexual abuse against children by teachers, principals and religious teachers. Amid opposition calls that the government take action, the Minister of Child Development and Women’s Affairs - Thissa Karalli-yadda says she has submitted a draft proposal to the Ministry of Justice recommending the death penalty for those who sexually abuse children. The recent series of lurid newspaper headlines prompted a march on Saturday by more than 1,000 people including children and 100 Christian leaders to draw attention to the issue. Many of the demonstrators also called for the death penalty in child sex abuse cases.