UNICEF launches campaign against child abuse

[TamilNet, Sunday, 14 December 2003, 18:15 GMT]
Speaking at the inaugural event of the UNICEF's campaign on child protection in Trincomalee district, UNICEF Child Protection Officer Ms Christina Torsein Saturday appealed to the people to create an environment that ensures children are free from all forms of violence and abuse.

UNICEF Trincomalee zone head Ms.Gabriela Elroy participated at this event held at Trincomalee Hindu Cultural Hall.

UNICEF Trincomalee head Ms Gabriela Elroy ( second from left) holding child protection posters with her assistant and UNICEF Child Protection Officer Ms Christina Torsein ( right extreme) inaugurating the child protection campaign in Trincomalee

Ms Christina further said people should come forward and assist the child protection authorities to arrest the increasing trend of child abuse. Children should be taught to report to the temple authorities or to the police whenever they face any form of abuse in their houses and other places. A conducive environment should be created for the children to trust and confide their feelings to elders or to religious leaders, she added.

The awareness programme on child protection has been implemented in the Trincomalee district to inculcate in the minds of elders the urgent need to protect the child from being abused sexually or otherwise, Ms Christina Torsein said.

Under the UNICEF awareness programme, posters and pamphlets would be distributed throughout the district to make the people aware about child protection activities, Ms Christina Torsein said.

The District Child Protection Committee in Trincomalee comprising representatives of international and local non-governmental organizations meets a month and discusses various activities to be taken to safeguard children from abuses.

The DCPC functions under the aegis of the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA).

NCPA Chairman Professor Harendra de Silva said his organization is actively involved in the child protection and welfare. The NCPA has been engaged in a campaign against various factors contributing to child abuse, such as pedophile activity.

“To regain Sri Lanka we need to start with children, our future. We need to protect them from all forms of violence and violence,” said a children’s rights activist Dr. Hiranthi Wijemanne.


Child protection poster in Tamil