Perceptions of police officers on public challenges and barriers to reporting child abuse in Colombo, Sri Lanka

Abstract

Background: Child abuse remains a prevalent issue in Sri Lanka due to the underreporting of child abuse cases to the legal authorities, occurring the challenges in victimized child protection and the whole child community. Many cases go unreported due to social, legal, economic and cultural obstructions. Police officers play a critical role in addressing child abuse; however, these challenges hinder both victims and their families from seeking justice. This study explored police officers' perceptions regarding the challenges in underreporting child abuse cases to enhance interventions with their insights. Method: The study involved a qualitative approach by interviewing 10 police officers currently working in Colombo, Sri Lanka. They were selected through convenient sampling. The interviews focused on the perceptions and experiences of police officers related to reporting child abuse. Thematic analysis was used to analyze data, providing a deeper understanding of the study. Results: The study identified key factors for underreporting of child abuse in Sri Lanka, including cultural norms and stigma, for abuse is often considered personal and the victims fear stigma and the fear of retaliation in cases involving powerful perpetrators. The ignorance of the victims and their families, legal inefficiencies like lengthy procedures and lack of child-sensitive training and economic dependence on perpetrators further hinder reporting. Moreover, limited support services, professional reluctance due to organizational challenges and religious and traditional beliefs are barriers, according to the perceptions of the police officers which collectively contribute to the underreporting of child abuse incidents. Conclusion: The study highlights the barriers to reporting child abuse in Sri Lanka, analyzing the perspectives of Sri Lankan police officers. The social, legal, economic and cultural norms prevent victims from seeking justice from the legal authorities. Addressing these challenges through improved awareness, legal reforms, and enhanced child protection mechanisms is crucial for strengthening reporting and ensuring children's safety in Sri Lanka.