A total of 108,581 child abuse complaints have been received by the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) between 2015 and 2025, Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Savithri Paulraj informed Parliament.
Responding to a question raised by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa under Standing Order 27/2 today (23), the Minister said that as of April 30 this year, 4,421 child abuse cases were pending before the High Courts, with indictments already filed against the accused.
She noted that the NCPA is coordinating with 47 Police Child and Women Protection Bureaus through the Police Children and Women Abuse Prevention Division to expedite the hearing and disposal of these cases.
As part of efforts to better protect child victims, the Minister said steps are being taken to record video evidence from children in a safe and non-intimidating environment, eliminating the need for them to appear in court. The recordings will then be submitted as evidence during legal proceedings.
Accordingly, discussions are underway with the Ministry of Health and Mass Media and other relevant stakeholders to identify suitable locations to establish nine provincial video evidence recording units.
Meanwhile, the National Child Protection Authority revealed that it received 5,523 complaints involving children during the first six months of 2026, including cases of child abuse.
The complaints received between January 1 and June 30 includes:
- 1,100 complaints of child cruelty
- 60 complaints of aggravated sexual abuse
- 213 complaints of sexual harassment
- 99 complaints of unlawful abduction of children
- 100 complaints related to the commercial sexual exploitation of children
- 82 complaints of child labour
- 40 complaints of teenage pregnancies
- 5 complaints of child marriages
- 112 complaints of cyber violence against children
- 13 complaints involving attempted suicide by children
The NCPA said these figures highlight the continuing need to strengthen child protection mechanisms and ensure timely legal action against offenders.
