Rising domestic violence cases spark concern; Over 12,000 families supported in 2023

By Poojathmi Rivithma
Colombo, June 25 (Daily Mirror) - Health authorities have raised alarm over the increasing number of domestic violence cases reported across the country, emphasising the severe toll it takes on family well-being and mental health.

Family Physician Dr. Dinusha Perera revealed that interventions and support services reached 12,198 affected families in 2023 alone. She stressed the urgent need for early detection, community awareness and preventive action to protect vulnerable individuals, particularly women and children.

According to Dr. Perera, 91% of those seeking assistance were women, with only 9% being men. She also noted a noticeable rise in incidents of physical, emotional and verbal abuse within households, especially during periods of economic hardships and social strain.

In response, initiatives such as Mithuru Piyasa, a service operated by health officers and midwives have been launched to offer support to those facing domestic or family issues. Authorities further plan to expand counselling services and legal aid to better assist affected families and curb the growing crisis.