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by Tharuka Dissanaike

Last weeks papers were full of it. Child abuse stories on almost every front page- that was not dominated by abortive Sihala Urumaya marches and IGP scandals.

The stories were pretty telling of the range of abuse and maltreatment of children that happens in this country. Two paedophiles were arrested in coastal towns-one while in bed with a 14-year old boy. A four-year-old orphan girl, found to be tortured by the family that had adopted her, was taken into police custody in Puttlam.

The NCPA (National Child Protection Authority) reported a case where the police tortured a 16-year old boy in Rathgama for several days. Most disturbingly, a well-known war orphanage run by a respected Buddhist monk was raided when the NCPA found evidence of gross sexual abuse of boys between nine and 14 by that staff of this home.

The stories, no doubt, evoked reader sympathy for the victim, anger towards the culprit and maybe some even silently congratulated law enforcement for bringing the victims to book. The media, in its usual hunger for 'good, grabbing news' gave the stories due prominence and repeated exposure. But we all forget that the more important part comes after the arrest. Justice.

In their all-too-hurried rush to break the news the media forgets often to follow up. The fact remains; it's all very good that the raid was conducted and arrests made; but what happens afterwards? Were the culprits caught? Were they punished? What were the punishments? If you are employing a child or engaged in some other form of abuse, what do you have to fear? Whom do you have to fear?

I have seen public skepticism over these stories- "oh, the culprit will find some loophole in the law to get away.' The public has seen too often that the strong arm of the law can be bent and twisted with money and power. Many of these perpetrators have one or both. The children, naturally, have neither. Often they are dependent on benevolent NGOs or human/child rights groups and the state to ensure that they are protected and cared for.

So it is as important to show justice being meted out, as it is to announce raids and arrests. Punishment and the severity of it can be the only deterrent to irresponsible adults who use and abuse children. The crime must be met with suitable punishment and justice must be delivered. Especially, for the children.

But it is doubtful whether the children receive adequate care in state custody. A recent report of sexual abuse by care takers inside a home for young girls managed by the Probation and Childcare Services of the Social Services Ministry raises startling queries of the extent of such corrupt behaviour in our society. The practice of locking up child victims with juvenile delinquents is also counter productive, since it only adds to the trauma already suffered by the children.

I personally know of a project proposed by concerned individuals to set up a care centre in Kandy for children abused as domestic servants, which is stalled because the property for the institution is tied up in Land Reform Commission's red tape.

Paedophile cases are the exception that receives media attention for weeks or months. The culprits are often white, from a distant European destination, they have many local sympathizers and now, according to international agreements, child abusers can be extradited to be tried for their crimes even long after they flee.

The two cases reported last week demonstrated that the evils of boy prostitution are far from eradicated from this country. With relative peace and a booming tourism industry, the NCPA and coastal Police posts will have to keep their eyes and ears peeled for such unsavoury visitors.

It would be interesting for the public to know also- what happens to the parents of these sexually abused children. NCPA's chief Prof. Harendra de Silva himself said in the newspapers that one of the paedophiles operated with the full knowledge of the boy's parents and even planned to take the youngster abroad with him. It's common knowledge that many parents actually earn economic benefits from letting these paedophiles use their children.

How does the government plan to tackle this problem? Can the state charge these parents with negligence or aiding a crime? Has it been done?

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