Abstract:
Sex crimes are a major category in the
classification of crimes in Sri Lanka. Of these,
sexual offenses against children are discussed as
sexual abuse under child abuse. There are various
factors that contribute to the sexual abuse of
children. This research has conducted a
criminological study of the family environmental
factors affecting child sexual abuse in Sri Lanka.
The research was conducted in the Kalutara and
Colombo districts of the Western Province and 228
sexually abused children were used as the main
sample in 2015-2020. Two separate samples were
also used for officers on duty with regard to
parents and children from the victims. The data
obtained from the research have been extensively
analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. 87% of
victims of sexual abuse are girls. The majority of
42% represent the 15-17 category. 47% of the
majority are victims of corruption. The boyfriend
(42%) is responsible for most of the abuse. 33% of
victims have been sexually abused in their own
home and 32% in the home of the abuser. Family
vulnerabilities such as family economic difficulties,
parental ignorance, extramarital affairs, single
parent family, parental separation, family disputes,
parental emigration, paternal and drug abuse,
various physical and mental disorders of the
parents, family moral decline, and breakdown of
parent-child cooperation And various problems of
children, problems in the social environment can
be identified as factors contributing to sexual
abuse. A child faces many problems when he or she
is sexually abused. This physical, mental and social
impact is detrimental not only to the child affected
but also to his family, society and the country as a
whole. It can be pointed out that an integrated
approach is more effective in controlling and
preventing child sexual abuse.
