If you have vulnerable children, do not give their information to strangers for the purpose of providing protection

Messages are being circulated on social media requesting information about children whose parents have died and who are living in a state of insecurity due to the disasters caused by Cyclone Ditva that hit the island.

The dangerous aspect of this is that there is a possibility of a child being abused by a person who comes under the guise of providing relief with an ulterior motive. Children may be taken in and used as servants, subjected to cruelty, and used for illegal activities.

If someone has a genuine need to take a child into proper custody and raise him or her safely, he or she can do so by initiating a case in the District Court in accordance with the general common law in force in Sri Lanka.

We request that only the National Child Protection Authority or the Child and Women Abuse Prevention and Investigation Bureau of the Police be informed to provide and obtain information regarding a vulnerable, helpless child.

We also request that you refrain from providing your children’s location or information to strangers who post their phone numbers on social media.