SEXUAL ABUSE AND EXPLOITATION OF BOYS IN SOUTH ASIA A ...

However, these data emphasize abuse by travelling sex offenders, and the focus of research
on ‘sex tourism’ in Sri Lanka has obscured the incidence of abuse of boys in communities
distant from the influence of foreign offenders. ‘Local’ abuse is perpetrated primarily by male
relatives and teachers. 392
While reporting of child sexual abuse is poor in Sri Lanka, as it is globally, public awareness
of it is high, unlike in other South Asian countries. In a 2007 study conducted with 2,500
school children aged 13 to 17 and with 1,500 parents and guardians, 70 per cent of the
children were aware that boys as well as girls were sexually abused. The majority could
identify the harmful effects of sexual abuse, including HIV/AIDS, pregnancy and social
stigma. Similarly, more than 80 per cent of the parents were aware of the sexual abuse of boys
and its harmful effects, and three-quarters knew that children under 10 could be victims.
More than one-half of the parents/guardians had discussed the dangers of sexual abuse with
their children. 393
Yet sexual abuse is not discussed openly, and many people do not consider abused children,
particularly boys, to be victims. Girls are blamed for being ‘loose’ or having unreliable
parents, and boys who are abused are generally ignored. 394 Families are reluctant to report
their children’s sexual abuse because of shame, reluctance to get involved in court
proceedings or pressure from influential people to ignore the offence. 395
8.1.4 Sexual exploitation in pornography
There is little formal information about children’s exposure to pornography or their abuse in
the production of child sexual abusive material.. Internet cafés abound in urban areas, and in
addition to safe and legitimate use of computers and the Internet, some children watch blue
movies and download pornographic materials, participate in sex-related chat rooms.
Travelling sex offenders are closely linked with the production of child pornographic
materials, both for private use by abusers and for commercial purposes. There is evidence that
foreign sex exploiters and their local counterparts photograph and film children as well as
conduct sexual acts. 396
8.1.5 Other forms of sexual exploitation
8.1.5.1 Prostitution and exploitation in travel and tourism
Sri Lanka is unique in South Asia in that exploitation of boys through prostitution appears to
be concentrated in the foreign tourist industry. There appears to be little exploitation of boys
by local men and women; exploitation in local tourism primarily victimizes girls and
392 de Silva, H., 2000, ‘Child Abuse in Sri Lanka’, in Partners in the Judicial Process on Child Labour.
393 Sri Lanka Tourist Board and MG Consultants, 2007, ‘Knowledge, attitudes and practices of school children
and their parents in relation to child sex tourism: Final report’.
394 de Silva, H., 2000, op.cit.
395 Terre des hommes (Lausanne), 2006, ‘Sri Lanka research report: Child trafficking and links with child sex
tourism and the commercial sexual exploitation of children’. (draft)
396 Keerthisinghe, H.R.S., Community Health Foundation ‘Sahana Sevana’, Ja-ela, personal communication,
2003.
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