The National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) has called for reports from the Bambalapitiya and Kotahena Police Stations following the death of a 16-year-old schoolgirl, who allegedly died by suicide after being sexually abused by a teacher.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the NCPA acknowledged the widespread public concern surrounding the case and noted that many incidents of abuse often go unreported due to fears of damaging a school’s reputation or discouraging victims from speaking out.
To address these issues, the NCPA has informed the Education Ministry Secretary and Provincial Directors of Education of the legal and procedural responsibilities in handling such cases. The guidelines include:
1. Immediate reporting of any child abuse case to the NCPA via its 1929 hotline, email, or postal mail, with instructions for all schools to comply.
2. Disciplinary action must be initiated against any principal or teacher accused of child abuse. They must be removed from duties involving children until the court delivers a verdict.
3. Internal investigations must be conducted in a manner that prevents further trauma to the affected child.
4. Victimised children must not be removed from school, influenced, labelled, or isolated during or after disciplinary action against alleged perpetrators.
The 16-year-old girl had died by suicide in Kotahena recently, after which her parents alleged that her death was linked to her being sexually abused by a male teacher at the school and also being humiliated at a private tuition institute in front of fellow students over the incident.
A protest was held in front of the school yesterday, seeking justice for the 16-year-old girl. The protesters called for the immediate suspension and arrest of the accused male school teacher, while they also shared displeasure over the school principal, whom they have accused of having shielded the perpetrator. (Newswire)
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