Factors Affecting Control and Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Child abuse has evolved into a strong social problem in Sri Lanka. In addition to this, children being victims of sexual abuse has grown into a strong social problem in this country today. It is clear from the study of the statistics published regarding sexual abuse that there has not been a significant decrease in the sexual abuse of children in this country. The sexual abuse of children, especially by using them for obscene postings and publications, has grown extremely in Sri Lanka. Thus, children are faced with a lot of effects and problems due to being victims of sexual abuse. This situation has a direct impact on the development of the country. Treatment of child victims after sexual abuse and enforcement of the law against abusers incurs huge economic and service costs. However, 100% compensation cannot be made for the negative impact on the child. Because of this, a strong emphasis should be placed on identifying the factors that affect the control and prevention of children becoming victims of sexual crimes in Sri Lanka. The research problem of this study is to find out what are the causal factors that affect the control and prevention of child sexual abuse. Also, the main purpose of the research is to study the factors affecting the control and prevention of children becoming victims of sexual abuse. In this study, special attention has been given to the relationship between the victimized children and their parents, parental weaknesses that affect the victimization of abuse and what measures can be taken to control and prevent sexual abuse. Data collection was done using two samples, and structured interviews were used to collect data. According to the research results, 79% of the parents have not informed their children about the factors that influence them not to become victims of sexual abuse. 89% of the parents have accepted that some weakness in the family has affected the children to commit a sexual crime. Among these, about 51% of the father’s weaknesses have directly affected the abuse. The main suggestion is that the sexual abuse of children in this country can be controlled and prevented by implementing the law and making new laws. Also, it has been identified in this study that the family should be strengthened to control and prevent children from falling victim to sexual abuse.