Arts , Humanities & Social Science

Abstract

Sri Lankan population can be broken down as urban, rural and estate population. They enjoy different infrastructure facilities and have different cultural values and social norms. The Estate sector mainly consists of Tamil ethnic groups who have been working in estate plantations for generations. These people live below the poverty line and they have very low literacy levels and skills as compared with the people in other two sectors of the country. While the estate sector suffers from various socioeconomic inadequacies, their habitual practice the alcohol consumption brings out domestic violence and child abuse.

This study aims at finding the causes of child sexual abuse in the estate sector and the parental role in protecting their children within their environment. The data were collected in 2019 with regard to the child sexual victims in the estate sector families in Nuwaraeliya, Thalawakele and Ruwanwella areas by selecting a random sample of 20 households. Interview schedule and case study methods were used for the data collection from the victims and their family members. The study revealed that the physical and social environment of the estate sector was conducive for committing child sexual abuse.  The livelihood of the people of the estate sector also affects the protection of children and their leaving children alone at home during the day time provides opportunities for child sexual abusers to prey on children for sexual abuse. This study suggests creating awareness among parents especially of the rights of children and the protection required for them. The changes in improper practices of parents such as drunkenness and domestic violence and also the enhancement of child protection will help reduce child sexual abuse in the estate sector.