Majority of incest victims under 15

Nadira Gunatilleke

COLOMBO: It has been revealed that the most number of incest incidents take place in the families whose mothers have gone abroad for employment.

The majority of incest victims are under 15 and it is female children who are subjected to incest more than male children. Fathers of the victims are the perpetrators in 45 per cent of the cases, according to a recent research cited by Social Services and Social Welfare Ministry Secretary Vijayalakshmi Jegarasasingam.

She said these facts have been disclosed by a research carried out by the Social Services and Social Welfare Ministry and the National Centre for Victims of Crime (NCVC). Brothers and sisters of the victims represent 17.6 per cent of the perpetrators.

According to the findings 51 incest cases were reported from Anuradhapura during the period of 2001 to 2006 which is the highest. The highest number of incest incidents were reported from Kekirawa town in the Anuradhapura district.

The number of incest incidents reported from Monaragala during the same period is 27. Twenty four incest incidents reported from Polonnaruwa district during this period, she said. Many perpetrators are addicted to alcohol or drugs. They were from low income families and poverty is one of major reasons for most of the crimes. The lack of social security and awareness also contributed to this situation.

It is also discovered that pornography and adults only films leading to a desire for sex is contributing towards incest.

It is recommended that if a mother goes abroad for employment a responsible guardian must take care of children. There must be proper assessment and monitoring in terms of the welfare of the child. Since psychosocial issues are a key element in incest issues it is important to provide counselling and guidance for fathers. Sex education should be promoted in all levels. Measures must be taken to protect and assist the incest victims in order to bring them up normally, the study said.

This research has been carried out by selected graduates of the University of Colombo under the guidance and supervision of the ministry and the NCVC. The research continued for five months in Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Monaragala districts, she added.