On the sexual abuse, exploitation & deception of society and it's children
NEVER AGAIN :: Never again
"NEVER AGAIN"
In Sri Lanka, addressing sexual and other abuses against children by clergy and religious figures has been a complex and evolving issue. While the country has taken certain steps to investigate and mitigate such abuses, challenges persist due to cultural, institutional, and systemic factors.
Investigations and Legal Actions:
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National Child Protection Authority (NCPA): The NCPA has been proactive in addressing child abuse cases within religious institutions. In recent years, there has been increased public attention on incidents involving the abuse of novice monks in Buddhist temples. The NCPA collaborates with law enforcement agencies to investigate reported cases and has initiated steps to amend existing laws to better protect children in these settings.
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Case of Aparekke Punnananda Thero (2011): A notable incident involved Aparekke Punnananda Thero, a Buddhist monk and former member of parliament, who was accused of sexually abusing underage novice monks under his care. He appeared before the Colombo Magistrates Court in 2011, and the case highlighted the vulnerabilities of children in monastic settings.
Challenges and Cultural Factors:
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Silence and Underreporting: Research indicates a pervasive culture of silence surrounding child abuse in religious institutions. Factors such as reverence for religious figures, fear of stigma, and lack of awareness contribute to underreporting. A 2023 doctoral thesis explored this issue, revealing that survivors often remain silent due to interpersonal, social, and structural limitations, while monastic leadership may prioritize institutional reputation over addressing abuse allegations.
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Institutional Barriers: The same research highlighted that child protection services face structural and cultural challenges when intervening in monastic settings. The absence of robust safeguarding policies for children in these institutions further exacerbates the problem. Despite the existence of over 12,000 Buddhist monasteries in Sri Lanka, many of which house children, there is a significant gap in oversight and protective measures.
Recent Developments:
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Government Initiatives: In response to rising concerns, the government has considered introducing new laws to address child abuse in religious institutions. The NCPA has been tracking investigations and court proceedings related to such cases and is advocating for amendments to the Penal Code to enhance child protection.
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Public Awareness: Media reports and academic studies have begun to shed light on the issue, gradually breaking the longstanding silence. This increased visibility aims to encourage more victims to come forward and prompt institutions to adopt stricter safeguarding measures.
While Sri Lanka has initiated efforts to investigate and address abuses against children by clergy and religious figures, significant work remains. Overcoming deep-seated cultural norms, ensuring institutional accountability, and implementing comprehensive protective policies are critical steps toward safeguarding vulnerable children in religious settings.
Asking for September 1 is both positive and progressive and much more powerful than any other concept we are aware of which is attempting to address this issue.
If you feel so outraged and if you are motivated beyond simply expressing your anger and outrage at these crimes then you would simply join in with the September1 initiative and publicly show your support.
September 1 is only one facet of a global alliance opposing the failure of Governments across the world to uphold human rights and their failure to appropriately regulate religions into compliance. Its not rocket science when you look at it - its simply common sense.

The September 1 initiative aim is to bring to the world a definitive solution to the global clergy abuse crisis
Check our findings at Trauma in Religion


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