Awareness for prevention: How important is the process of awareness in mitigating the surge in child
- ricrotaract
- Sep 2, 2021
- 3 min read
The ongoing Global Pandemic is not something any of us expected it took over our lives in ways we did not expect. However, looking back at the initial stages of quarantine and isolation; most of us were privileged enough to use that time as a form of self-improvement. We were able to dedicate more time to ourselves, spend time with family, and reconnect with old hobbies. This ability to live through those stages of lockdown so lusciously is a privilege at its highest form. Although within ourselves it was a time of relaxation, to most children in the world and in our own country; it was a time of pain, sorrow, and fear.
There was a dramatic rise in the proportion of child cruelty cases reported to the 1929 child helpline since the start of Sri Lanka’s COVID-19 curfew. In the three-week period between the 16th of March – 7th of April 2020, the proportion of child cruelty cases as a total of all reported child protection complaints rose from 10% to 40%. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the National Child Protection Agency (NCPA) too expressed their concern over this matter. These shocking statistics prove how the lives of children were affected drastically since the beginning of the lockdowns imposed on our country. With the economy slowly collapsing and the high rising stress of unemployment, lack of resources, and inability to provide daily essentials to their families, it is evident that parents and guardians have been exerting these ill feelings on helpless children. With schools closed, extra classes canceled and the inability to escape from these toxic households, the lives of innocent children are at risk; living in fear, with no form of escape and no one to confide in.
On the 7th of July 2021, The Daily News reported that about 12,165 cases of child abuse had been reported to the NCPA countrywide during the past 18 months. Why is it that most of us are unaware of this alarming rate of child abuse taking place around us? Why aren’t these statistics publicized and put out in order to raise awareness about these grave incidents? We, as privileged citizens of this society, are unaware of the torment that innocent children just like you and I endure each day. It is our duty to speak up and be the voice to the children who have been silenced. The only way that we can make a difference and attempt to protect the children of our country, is by taking the first step to raising awareness. We cannot mend this problem and reach out to children in need if we are unaware of it. The evidence pointing towards the rise of child abuse during the Covid-19 Pandemic is a clear indication that we as a society need to devote our attention to this issue while doing whatever we can within our power to help and support those in need. In order to do this, it is essential that we first provide children with proper and accurate information about services such as the NCPA, NGOs such as World Vision Lanka, and Save the Children Sri Lanka that offers professional and swift services. It is also necessary to educate children about national hotlines which can be contacted in the case of emergencies.
Along with these steps, it is vital that we combat the stigma surrounding issues of child abuse and neglect, which ultimately prevents us from openly discussing and raising awareness about these topics which are in dire need of our attention. The children of today, are the future for tomorrow, and it is our duty to protect them and provide them with any form of help and support. We must educate ourselves about the ever-present issues of child abuse and find ways to help them, even just by sharing information and statistics to raise awareness among people who are oblivious to the fact that while we live lives of peace and enjoyment, there are many just like us who live in fear of each day and each moment. It may surprise you, how educating just one person on these matters may help to save so many innocent lives. Let’s aspire to build a society that educates its children about such issues of child abuse and neglect while informing them of the ways in which we can obtain help from professional authorities.
During these trialing times, when we are bound to our homes with close to no means of escape, check up on your friends. Be aware of those around you; those who may be struggling, with nowhere to go. Do your part to make a difference in the lives of many by at the very least, helping to create awareness that could result in saving a life.
Content By: Rtr. Amandha Wanduragala, LLB, First Year
Design By: Rtr. Zikra Haris, BSc. Data Science and Business Analytics, Second Year
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