Emerge Lanka Foundation celebrates 20 years

• Marks two decades of supporting survivors of child sexual abuse in Sri Lanka

Emerge Lanka Foundation marked its 20th anniversary with a commemorative event titled ‘20 Years of Rising’ recently, celebrating two decades of supporting survivors of child sexual abuse in Sri Lanka and reaffirming its commitment to helping young survivors rebuild their lives.

Since its founding, Emerge has supported more than 1,800 survivors through a range of long-term programmes designed to help teens and young women recover from trauma and move toward independence. 

Over the past 20 years, the organisation has developed holistic initiatives that combine psychosocial care, education and vocational support, life skills development and reintegration assistance for survivors navigating life after abuse and institutional care.

Despite increased awareness in recent years, child sexual abuse remains a serious and persistent issue in Sri Lanka. Thousands of related cases remain pending in the courts, leaving many survivors and their families waiting years for justice. During this time, survivors often face significant barriers – including stigma, prolonged legal proceedings and challenges reintegrating into their communities and systems.

Emerge Lanka’s programmes aim to address these gaps by providing safe spaces, sisterhood and long-term support systems that help survivors rebuild confidence, develop practical skills and pursue opportunities for education and employment.

“Twenty years ago, Emerge began with a simple belief: that girls who have experienced harm deserve not only protection but the opportunity to rebuild, grow and shape their own futures,” said Emerge Lanka Foundation founder and CEO Alia Whitney-Johnson. 

“This weekend we celebrated the community that has chosen, again and again, to stand with survivors and believe in their potential.”
“The past 20 years have shown us that healing happens in relationship,” Whitney-Johnson added. 

“When young people are surrounded by care, opportunity and community, they can move from surviving to thriving.”