Protect child to protect future

Dharma SRI ABEYRATNE

The area of child protection has pressed the panic button with an alarming number of child abuse cases being reported in the country. Child abuse can take several forms. The four main types are physical, sexual, psychological and neglect. National Child Protection Authority Chairperson Anoma Dissanayake speaks to the Daily News about child protection in the country.

Q: What are the steps the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) has taken in the field of child protection?

A: The Authority is taking every possible step to safeguard the childhood as they are the future guardians of the country. In every district two officers have been appointed by the Authority to carry out the activities of the Authority. These District Coordinating officers and Psycho Coordinating officers will monitor and inquire into all child related issues. Therefore these officers act as a link between the Authority and society. Apart from that, NCPA maintains a close rapport with other Government institutions such as AGA offices, Police, religious institutions, charity institutions and so on.

Q: Child abuse also causes an immense damage to the mind of a child. What is society’s duty in safeguarding children while becoming a barrier to child abusing ?

A: The Authority will seek assistance of various segment of society such as intellectuals, artistes, social workers, teachers and other parties to strengthen its service. The NCPA will appoint selected people as volunteer guardians to Children’s Homes. The NCPA has introduced a 24 hour hotline service recently named Child Line aimed at eradicating child abuse and protecting children. The NCPA can be contacted free throughout the day over any telephone network by dialing 1929. We believe society is duty bound to make the NCPA aware of child abuse cases.

The service can be utilized by any person or even a child on any sort of child-related issue. The hotline service is also supported by a free counselling service. Children needing counselling can contact the NCPA and they will be assisted by experts to stabilize their mental condition.

This hotline counselling service will help bring down the suicide rate among children as certain issues which cannot be discussed with teachers, parents or guardians can be discussed with the experts.

Q: It is vital to bring the abused child back to society. When it comes to healing what are the measures outlined by NCPA?

A: People should be aware of the hotline service and its’ services. Then the Child Protection Authority will be vigilant on child abuse and measures will be taken to do away with child abuse. The Authority has to ensure a better future for abused children while bringing them back to society. Counselling will play a major role when changing the mental status of abused children.

Perpetrators of child abuse will be brought to the courts and imposing severe punishments on them is also important. The Authority will make the public aware of the legal framework and how to eradicate child abuse from society.

Q: What is the duty of other Government institutions with regards to child protection?

A: In terms of the prevailing law in the country a person under 18 years is considered a child. The NCPA has links with officials in the AGA offices, District Secretariats, Provincial Councils, Police, Grama Niladari and so on. This is not a lone battle. All Government institutions and other relevant segments in society have to stand for child protection.

Q: Children Homes play a significant role in child protection. But, the condition of certain children homes is not satisfactory. What is the NCPA involvement in Children homes?

A: All Children Homes in the country will be monitored closely by the NCPA. NCPA officials have also observed that several Children Homes are not functioning to the required standards.

Therefore, those Homes will be frequently monitored by the District Coordinators and Psycho coordinating officers.

One District Coordinator and one Psycho Coordinator are in each district.

It has been planned to inspect every Children Home by the end of this month.

The two officials in the district will visit Children Homes and provide guidance to the caretaker of Children Homes. The NCPA regulations and guidelines will have to be strictly followed by every Children Home.

Children Homes that do not meet the NCPA standards may have to be closed.

In addition the NCPA will appoint volunteers throughout the country to visit Children Homes.

These persons have to visit Children Homes in their localities frequently and spend some time with children in the Home.

They can share their experiences and knowledge with children.

Intellectuals, retired educationists, retired Security Forces personnel or any other suitable person who can dedicate time for children are invited by the NCPA as volunteer visitors.

Children Home should be the home for each and every child in it. Children should feel home there.

Kind hearted persons with humane qualities have to be appointed as the guardians of Children Homes.