THE reality of child abuse continues to grow, and it is becoming increasingly clear that more needs to be done to address this pressing issue, says Assistant Minister for Women and Children Sashi Kiran.
Ms Kiran called for a united, collaborative effort to confront the rising number of child abuse cases in the country.
Speaking at the opening of a capacity development on mental health and psychological support services workshop, Ms Kiran said the statistics of child abuse were not just numbers but represented the real pain and suffering of vulnerable children.
As the number of child abuse cases continues to rise, professionals from both government and NGOs are participating in the workshop to better deal with these situations.
“This training is an essential step in equipping your team with the necessary tools, knowledge, and skills to better support and protect our children, particularly those who are victims of abuse, neglect and exploitation,” Ms Kiran said.
“We gather here today not only to enhance professional capacity but to reaffirm our collective responsibility in safeguarding the most vulnerable members of our society, our children.”
Ms Kiran said children who experience physical, emotional or sexual abuse often carry the potential for long-term mental health challenges that could affect their overall well-being.
She said society must not neglect the emotional needs of these children, and that this lack of support could lead to a dangerous cycle where abused children grow up to become perpetrators themselves.
