Approximately 5.1 million (25%) of Sri Lanka’s population is under 18 years old. The Child Protection Alliance (CPA) campaigns for urgent action to address the alarming escalation of child abuse in the country. Shockingly, from 2020 to 2022, seventeen children fell victim to physical or sexual abuse and murder. Statistics from the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) reveal a concerning increase in reported cases of child abuse over the past decade, with cases of physical abuse tripling during this period. The Sri Lanka Police report that a child is sexually molested every two hours on the island. 

‘Our Children’ is a poignant collection of real-life stories narrated by survivors of child abuse, providing them with a platform to voice their traumatic experiences. Many share their stories for the first time, marking a significant step in their healing journey. The narratives cover various forms of abuse—physical, sexual, and mental—and include one tragic account of suicide, recounted by thegrieving mother.

Each story carries a unique message to the public, supported by evidence-based insights from experts in legal, child psychology, education, and law enforcement fields. Co-authored by the winner of the inter-school debate competition ‘A Generation’s Appeal’ to end child abuse and reputable authors, the bookwill be published in Sinhala and translated into Tamil and English, approved by the Ministry of Education for distribution in schools, and recommended for children aged 12 and above. 

The book is in the final stages of editing and we hope to publish it in 2026 in Sinhala translated to Tamiland English languages with an island-wide book reading tour. If you wish to contribute towards the printing and distribution of the book donate here.