Trends and projections of child abuse in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Background: In the context of Sri Lanka's ongoing socioeconomic challenges, child abuse has emerged in increasingly concerning and diverse forms. Gaining a thorough understanding of these patterns and their potential future escalation is essential for developing effective and targeted interventions. Method: This study was conducted to identify current trends in child abuse across Sri Lanka and to project future developments. Secondary data were collected from all districts of the country, covering the period from 2010 to 2023. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and time series analysis. Findings revealed that educational neglect and physical cruelty were the most commonly reported forms of child abuse. Results: The highest number of reported cases was observed in the North Colombo Division, which includes areas within the Colombo and Gampaha districts. Furthermore, time series analysis indicated a slight upward trend in reported cases over the years. Conclusion: Based on these findings, it can be concluded that child abuse may be mitigated through the implementation of targeted sexual education programs for children, increased parental awareness campaigns focusing on abuse identification and prevention, and the strengthening of community-based protective measures, particularly in high-risk areas such as the North Colombo Division.