Thursday, April 19, 2018

Psychologists reveal reasons for sexual violence of the country



KALANA KRISHANTHA- APR 16 2018

Psychologists have revealed the underlying reasons for the increase in sexual violence in the country which according to them was primarily due to the media, the influence of Indian movies and dramas, the misusage of the internet, sexual depression in relation to cultural restrictions, lacunas in the legal structure, drug abuse and the lack of sexual education.

Psychotherapist and a Director of the Institute of Mental Health Dr. Romesh Jayasinghe revealed the many reasons which could contribute to increasing gender disparity and the intensification of sexual violence including gang rape in Sri Lanka.

According to Dr.Jayasinghe, “Indian movies and dramas which attract many Sri Lankans are full of such type of incidents. When people watch more and more of those things, this becomes normal to their mindset and it leads them to emulate those incidents.”

Another contributory factor, he explained is the media.

“The unethical reporting of media has been paving the way for copycat behaviour in audiences. And also the way they are reporting, stimulates the spread of such incidents. Also the internet is responsible for the wave of rapes. Pornographic films have contributed a lot to make Sri Lankans maniacs when it comes to sexuality.” 

He suggested blocking access to pornographic websites in Sri Lanka. 

When Ceylon Today queried as to whether it would not restrict internet freedom, Dr. Jayasinghe said that if people don`t know how to behave with other people and instead behave like animals, such had nothing to do with “internet freedom” and therefore that the banning of internet porn sites in Sri Lanka is the need of the hour within the current context.

Culture, also plays a role in generating the prevailing ill weather when it comes to culture and sexuality, he noted.

“Due to cultural issues even victims do not like to reveal the truth. And also sexual suppression is prevailing in Sri Lanka, due to the lack of sexual freedom.”

According to Dr. Jayasinghe, prostitution should be legalized in Sri Lanka. “I don`t think it can create much damage to our culture. Thailand is also a Buddhist country, however prostitution is legalized there.“

On the other hand, on many occasions, offenders are obtaining bails or escaping from the law using the gaps in the legal system, he explained. The legal system should be restructured to punish the offenders, he opined. ”The number of convicted people is relatively low in this respect. This condition should change.” According to him, when offenders are not punished, people don`t have any fear to engage in such brutal acts.

Sexual literacy is terribly low and that leads people to behave in an abnormal manner, Dr. Jayasinghe pointed out, suggesting therefore that initiating more regularized sexual education from Grade Nine onwards to all school students, is the way out of this malaise.

According to Dr. Jayasinghe, drug abuse is also contributing to the increase in the number of abnormal behaviours exhibited by people. “People used to drink alcoholic drinks excessively. But, now the percentage of alcohol users is becoming low. Instead of alcohol, now they are getting addicted to more poisonous drugs like heroin, which can negatively impact on the nervous system.”