Sri Lanka: Sex abuse cases on the rise

By Kelum Bandara | Daily Mirror Online
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Police have identified as many as 258 cases of sexual abuse involving children and 21 cases of forcing girls or women into the sex trade during the first nine months of this year, Parliament was informed last week.

According to a document tabled in the House, 47 cases of forcing women into the sex trade were reported last year, 31 in 2009, 33 in 2008, 30 in 2007, 35 in 2006, 15 in 2005 and 16 in 2004.

Besides, the report said 334 incidents where children were ill-treated and sexually abused were reported in 2010, a slight drop from 346 cases reported the previous year. In 2007, 366 cases were reported while 262 cases were reported in 2006.

However, 451 cases were reported in 2005 and 471 cases in 2004.

The House debated the rising crime wave, and the opposition stressed the need to introduce new laws to arrest the dangerous trend.

© Daily Mirror