Grave Sexual Abuse

Grave sexual abuse includes all sexual acts defined by the offence of grave sexual abuse in Sri Lanka and not covered by the offence of rape. Grave sexual abuse also includes instances where sexual gratification is not only through the use of genitals or parts of the human body but also through any instrument and also on any orifice or part of the body of another person.

 

Reporting Grave Sexual Abuse
  • Obtain a medical examination as soon as possible from an authorized medical officer. The medical officer has a duty to collect hair, body fluids, fibers and other evidence, if any. Medical officers have a duty to report any incident of suspected grave sexual abuse to the Judicial Medical Officer (JMO) and Police.
  • Make a complaint to the nearest police station.
  • Inquire whether the police station has a Women and Children’s Desk or ask for a woman police officer if you prefer speaking to a woman instead of a male constable. Make sure all details of the incident are covered.
  • Ensure that you read the statement before signing it.
  • In addition to taking a statement, police will collect physical evidence and take statements from witnesses if there are any.
  • The police interview may take several hours, depending on the circumstances of your case. Some questions may be intrusive, and the officer may go over the details of the incident several times. The extensive questioning is often justified by the need to get every detail down precisely, to make the strongest possible case against the perpetrator.
  • It helps to write down every detail you can remember, as soon as possible, so you can communicate the details to the police.

Certain organizations provide support through the reporting process. They can clarify your doubts and questions.

Click to learn more about Service Providers.
Click to learn about Laws.

 

Law on Grave Sexual Abuse

Adults

  • Grave sexual abuse is a criminal offence under Section 365B of the Penal Code (Amendment) Act, No 22 of 1995 and includes all sexual acts without consent that do not come within the definition of rape.
  • This includes instances where a sexual act is not only through the use of genitals or parts of the human body but also through any instrument and also on any orifice or part of the body of another person.
  • Grave sexual abuse may include, non consensual,
    • Oral sex
    • Manual stimulation
    • Sado masochistic sexual conduct using instruments

Children

  • If the victim- survivor is under the age of 16 years it is assumed that the sexual act is done without the consent of the victim-survivor.