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| Sunday, 8 December 2002 |
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CRI on all-out war against child abuse A multi-faceted program has been drawn up by the Child Rights International (CRI) to curb the child abuse in various form and help the victims providing them free legal advice and taking up their cases, free of charge before courts. Speaking to the `Sunday Observer', founder-Chairperson Mrs.Thilina Navarathne said that for the present, the organisation will focus their attention on the North Western Province and Gampaha district. She further said that children are sexually abused and it spreads like a contagious disease eating into the lives of innocent children. Explaining the vision of the organisation which she heads, to combat the rise of violence against children Mrs. Navarathne said that time has come to "speak loud". " Our vision is to create awareness of the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child among the population/people and actively participate to ensure that the children enjoy their God-given rights". Naming her organisation as a non-profit making, non-political and communally unbiased collective of concerned citizens she said that,the members of her organisation have well understood their mission." Ours is a mission, to rouse up the feelings and the responsibility of parents and society towards children. We stress that they value children and lead them to fulfil their duty towards children, the future of this nation. We point out to all the need to protect and care for the lives of the children, the hope of this generation and the failure on our part will result in loss of our future.In homes and in society we have to protect our children without exposing them to offences committed against them" , she added. Ms. Navarathne further said that the past decade had witnessed a tremendous increase in the incidents of sexual abuse of children. Some of them were horrendous crimes of sexual abuse coupled with murder of the innocent children. Printed media continuously reported child abuse, specially cruelty and sexual abuse. But many more cases of such violence and abuse went unnoticed. " So it is no secret that many children undergo various forms of physical, sexual and mental harassment. They are, thus denied and deprived of their rights as children. They are neglected and abandoned; left in destitute circumstances causing suffering and injuries to health and their well-being. They are being scoffed, insulted and intimidated. They are subjected to various forms of cruelty maiming their limbs and causing pain and trauma. They are abducted,kidnapped and murdered. They are at times subjected to forced marriage; incest, rape and exposed to obscene, vulgar and pornographic films, videos and publications. They are used as pimps in brothels and for prostitution. They are forced to sale and distribute illicit liquor and drugs and are also used as beggars or street traders and domestic labourers" she said. According to her there has to be public conscious people groups in every part of the country, if people are serious about in protecting their children." Due to the vulnerability of children to offences committed against them, children need special care, attention and protection more than ever before" she emphasised. " We cannot stand any longer with folded arms saying that it is the job of the law enforcement authorities to give protection to our children. The government and the law enforcement authorities alone cannot fully solve these problems. The family and society as well have a duty by the children. This is why we decided to form this organisation and it is a very big commitment on our part", she added. Mrs.Navarathne went on to say that there was a wrong notion among the parents and society that only the girl-child needs protection. It is far from the truth. The boys do need that special care and protection as well. Solutions to these problems could not be found only through the judicial system operating in the country but public awareness was a must. The CRI with several intellectuals, religious leaders and social leaders have taken that responsibility of making the public aware of the International Charter on Children which speaks about the rights of the child." We are determined to put all our efforts together with other similar organisations dedicated to children to draw up a national policy.We will also appeal to both print and electronic media to refrain from carrying pictures or scenes that would spoiled minds of the children. While inviting the media to play a greater role in this aspect we express our gratefulness to the media for the support in our endeavour. It was due to the assistance extended by the Wayamba Jana Madya Sansadaya, Puttalam that we were able to conduct several workshops and seminars in some parts of the North-Western province, she said. |
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