ශ්‍රී ලංකාවේ විකල්ප රැකවරණයේ සිටින ලිංගික අපයෝජනයට ලක් වූ ගැහැණු ළමයින් සඳහා මනෝ-සමාජීය මැදිහත්වීම් ශක්තිමත් කිරීම - Strengthening Psychosocial Interventions For Sexually Abused Female Children In Alternative Care In Sri Lanka

In contemporary society, children are exposed to various forms of violence and abuse, among which sexual abuse remains one of the most severe and devastating. Female children, in particular, are disproportionately affected by sexual abuse, which profoundly impacts their physical, psychological, and social development. In Sri Lanka, many such victims are placed in alternative care settings both community-based and institutional for their care and protection.
This study seeks to examine the importance of safeguarding the rights and promoting the overall well-being of sexually abused female children living in community-based alternative care. It specifically focuses on the extent to which their psycho-social needs are addressed within these care settings. Psycho-social interventions play a crucial role in creating a supportive environment conducive to the holistic recovery and well-being of these children. Accordingly, this research explores the necessity of strengthening psycho-social interventions to enhance the quality of care and the optimal development of sexually abused female children residing in community-based alternative care in Sri Lanka.
Adopting a qualitative research design, the study was conducted among female children under the supervision of the Department of Probation and Child Care Services, the primary state institution responsible for child protection in Sri Lanka. Data were collected through case studies and in-depth interviews with probation officers overseeing the children. Thematic analysis was employed to interpret the data.
Findings reveal that ensuring the psycho-social well-being of sexually abused female children in alternative care requires deliberate and sustained attention. Many of these children experience deprivation of essential psycho-social needs such as love, affection, empathy, acceptance, relaxation, recreation, self-esteem, balanced relationships, and social participation. The study underscores the urgent need to strengthen psycho-social counseling and support services at the probation office level to ensure these children’s optimal well-being and reintegration into society.