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Special Unit to combat child abuse

by Sarath Malalasekera

In a concerted attempt to apprehend the rising wave of crime against children, the Police Force will set-up a Special Unit to combat child abuse and all forms of cruelty against children.

This Special Unit will operate from tomorrow, (October 1) to co-inside with the Universal Children's Day. A Special Police Team well versed and trained in child abuse issues, will man this unit established in the headquarters of the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA).

The National Child Protection Authority was created by an Act of Parliament and functions directly under President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga. The Authority is charged with all aspects of child protection including investigations and prosecution.

This special police unit will be incharge of Western Province South DIG Sirisena Herath and will be opened by Interior Minister John Amaratunge at 4 p.m., October 1.

Minister Amaratunge will also issue the first day cover and cancel a stamp issued to mark the occasion.

The Interior Minister has initiated a major police campaign to deal with child abuse. The campaign will be conducted in conjunction with the NCPA. An action plan has been drawn up to coincide with the Universal Children's Day, Ministerial sources said.

The new unit will initially consist of fifteen police personnel. It will work closely with the NCPA on investigation, monitoring and prosecutions, DIG Sirisena Herath said and added that one trained police officer will also be posted to each police station in areas frequented by tourists, so that prompt action will be taken to facilitate the investigation of cases of child abuse.

All Police stations in the country will have a direct link with the Special Police Unit of the NCPA. The NCPA is equipped with video recording of visuals of child cruelty, which is admissible evidence in courts under the NCPA Act.

According to NCPA Chairman Prof. Harendra de Silva 1,200 cases of child abuse were handed over to the Attorney General last year.

The NCPA also has a Cyber Watch Unit which scans websites for advertisements soliciting children under 14 years. It will be noted that employment of any person below 14 years, even as domestic servants is prohibited.

Minister Amaratunge emphasised that though several cases of child abuse like sexual abuse, cruelty to children, use of child labour, use of children in drug trafficking had been reported yet there were many which go undetected due to lack of personnel for investigations as well as follow-up action to prosecute the offenders.

Interior Minister Amaratunge appealed for public assistance for bringing instances of child abuse to the nearest police station or contact the National Child Protection Authority at 330, Thalawathugoda Road, Madiwela. Minister Amaratunge following intense discussions with the Chairman of the NCPA had finalized the action plan on gearing police to tackle child abuse.

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