The National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) has received 414 complaints related to child sexual abuse during the first nine months of this year, highlighting the continuing rise in crimes against children.
According to the NCPA, 192 cases involved serious sexual exploitation, while the total number of complaints received by the authority from January 1 to September 30 stood at 7,677. Of these, 6,296 were filed under the Child Protection Authority Act, and 1,381 were not covered under the Act.
The highest number of complaints — 1,176 — was reported in September.
Among the complaints under the Child Protection Authority Act, 49 were related to sexual harassment of women, 111 to child labour, and 203 to kidnappings. Meanwhile, among complaints not covered under the Act, 62 were linked to teenage pregnancies.
The authority also recorded 102 complaints of cyber violence against children, 38 cases of domestic violence, 13 of suicide attempts, and one complaint of kidnapping.
Drug-related concerns also featured prominently, with 83 complaints received — including 27 cases involving the use of children in drug trafficking and three related to the sale of drugs to minors under 16.
Meanwhile, Kalutara Divisional Deputy Inspector of Police Jayantha Padmini Weerasuriya said there is an alarming trend of children being drawn into drug use, speaking at a recent event held in Kalutara.
