Children's book on Child Abuse & Exploitation launched

Attorney-at-Law and Human Rights (HR) trainer Ms Marini De Livera has written a book for children to educate them on Child Abuse & Exploitation, which is becoming rampant in the country.

Ms. De Livera who is also a law Lecturer, said her decision to write the book was prompted by the high incidence of Child Abuse & Exploitation of children in Sri Lanka, widely reported in the media.

The book titled 'Bindoo Bird' is also meant to be shared with Parents, Teachers and all concerned people, to enlighten children on how they should act when faced with an uncomfortable situation as the one depicted in the book.

Minster of Women’s' Affairs & Child Deve l o p m e n t , Chandrani Bandara launched the book in Jaffna recently, where it was distributed to English Teachers in the Northern Province.

Speaking at the event, Minister Bandara said the story gives guidelines to children on how to look after themselves and what they could do if placed in an uneasy situation; where physical, verbal and sexual abuse could take place. It is training children in prevention that is important, rather than focusing on the cure.

She added, this is also a clear example of what a strong network can do. “A network made up of my Ministry, the Northern Provincial Council, the Dept of Education, Academia, Lawyers, Students and the corporate sector together can do a job. Such networks have worked tirelessly together to place this awareness prog ramme of Child Abuse & Exploitation, and arranging the launch of this amazing book which has multiple uses."

Law students have formed themselves into a group known as the ' Justifiers', and are performing the story in this book as a street drama, in all three languages, in different Districts. This creates awareness of the support structures available.

The helpline of the National Child Protection Authority is found on the back cover of the book.