The safety of 11,500 children in 400 Children’s Homes in the country is at risk with media institutions and donors offering various kinds of direct assistance.
The Department of Probation and Child Care Services said that it is to be appreciated that media institutions and donors offer various kinds of assistance for children residing in Children’s Homes, considering the present situation of the country.
According to the Department of Probation and Child Care Services, there are 11,500 children residing in 400 Children’s Homes and the minimum number of children in a children’s home varies from 20 to 100.
If outsiders enter these children’s homes to help them it could pose a risk to the children, the Department of Probation and Child Care Services said.
The Department of Probation and Child Care Services said that children who were admitted to children’s homes on court orders should be provided with special security as they may become insecure with the access of outsiders.
The Provincial Commissioner of Probation and Child Care Services has been instructed to provide food and other necessities through Sathosa.
The Department of Probation and Child Care Services said that it may be necessary to seek the assistance of external agencies as well, depending on the situation.
“Some individuals and media institutions are trying to provide the children with food and other materials directly and obtain their statements and photographs. This will affect the children’s safety and also can damage their mental condition and self-esteem,” the Department of Probation and Child Care Services.
Media institutions and individuals have been urged not to handover food directly to children and avoid obtaining their suggestions, comments or photographs and to inform the Provincial Commissioner of Probation and Child Care Services of the area in which the Children’s Home is located before providing any assistance. (Colombo Gazette)