Date:
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Countries:
Asia
Southern Asia
Sri Lanka
PeaceWomen Consolidated Themes:
Sexual and Gender-Based Violence
UNP parliamentarian Rosy Senanayake says the bill while safeguarding women and child rights would also introduce sever punishments for child abusers and rapists.
She said that immediate steps needed to be taken to address the increasing cases of child abuse and rape of women.
The MP explained that laws related to such offenses have to be amended and strengthened.
"A maximum jail term of five years is given to sex offenders and they commit the same crimes when they are released," Senanayake said.
She pointed out that the laws should therefore be amended to give sever punishments to offenders.
According to Senanayake, the bill would also propose the establishment of a special unit at the Attorney General's Department to deal with cases related to women and children and this unit would work in coordination with the National Child Protection Authority.
