A Study on the Legal Applicability of Methods used by the Sri Lankan media in reporting Child Sex Offenses

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume V, Issue V, May 2021 | ISSN 2454–6186

A Study on the Legal Applicability of Methods used by the Sri Lankan media in reporting Child Sex Offenses

Gunasekera H.D.E¹, Abeysekara T.B.² and Weerasinghe T^3
1Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka
²Legal Studies Unit, Faculty of Management Studies and Commerce, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka
³Sri Pali Campus, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka

Abstract: The main focus of this research is to examine how media reporting on child sex offenses take place specifically in the Sri Lankan legal context (with reference to the Penal Code (Amendment) Act No. 22 of 1995).There are several socio-legal and consensual approaches to the definition of child. These approaches are primarily based on the relationship between a person’s age and role. Especially those under the age of 18, are internationally recognized as children. However, Child abuse, has been a threat that has spread secretly in the society for centuries.But in recent decades it has been recognized as a serious social problem and has received enough attention to oppose it.

I. INTRODUCTION

By the mid-80s, child corporal punishment was recognized as a crime in Sri Lanka, and child sexual abuse in the early 90s was recognized as a serious offense. Since then, Sri Lanka has joined hands with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child to address the short-term and long-term effects of child abuse and to take action against various forms of violence and cruelty to children.
Taken as a whole, four basic types of child abuse can be identified (Marasinghe, 1995).
1. Physical abuse
2. Mental abuse
3. Sexual abuse
4. Ignorance
If an activity causes injury or pain, weakness, disability or death to a child, that activity is considered as a physical abuse (T. Serisier, 2017).If a child experiences any stress or trauma as a result of an action or expression, it is considered as a mental abuse, and sexual abuse is considered the most serious form of child abuse. Child sexual abuse can occur through body contact, or not (C. Goddard, B.J. Saunders, 2001). There is a rapid increase in child abuse in the country at present. It is a gradual increase. The question is whether the increase is an increase in child abuse or an increase in child abuse reporting. Statistically, however, there has been a rapid increase in abuses or reporting.

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