The North continues to record the highest number of child sexual abuse cases in the country, says Social Protection Minister Sashi Kiran.
Ms Kiran said this was partly because of its remoteness.
“Child sexual abuse remained a serious issue across the country, with cases continuing to be reported regularly and it’s a serious issue.”
While speaking to this newspaper, she said police reports and statistics from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions showed that cases were being recorded every month.
“If you look at police reports and statistics from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, you will see that there are cases reported every month,” she said.
However, she warned that official figures did not reflect the true scale of the problem.
“Unfortunately, there are also many cases that go unreported.”
In response, the Government is developing a national action plan for the prevention of child abuse aimed at strengthening the country’s response and improving protection systems for children.
Ms Kiran said the plan was designed to encourage a whole-of-society approach to tackling the issue.
“The goal is to ensure that the whole of society works together to protect children.”
As part of the process, the ministry will also host a symposium for children with disabilities to ensure their concerns and experiences are reflected in the national plan.
“We are also organising a symposium for children with disabilities to ensure their issues are included in the national action plan.”
She said the Government was also focusing on fully implementing key child protection laws to strengthen support services and diversion programs.
“We are also fully operationalising the Child Social Protection Act and the Child Justice Act to strengthen diversion programs and support systems for children,” she said.
She said strengthening those systems was essential to creating safer communities and ensuring children received the protection and support they needed.
