Reports of abuse of Tsunami victims have presented a sordid hue to the relief efforts in Sri Lanka.

A women’s rights group, Women and Media Collective on Monday urged Sri Lankan authorities to step up protection for tsunami survivors, especially for women and children who were more vulnerable, amid unconfirmed reports some had been molested or even gang raped at refugee shelters.

The group said the incidents were mainly in the southern region, but did not give details of the crimes nor did it say how many such cases had been reported to them. "We have received reports of incidents of rape, gang rape, molestation and physical abuse of women and girls in the course of unsupervised rescue operations and while resident in temporary shelters," it said in a statement.

However, D.W. Prathapasinghe, the southern region police chief said there were "rumours" of rape, but they were yet to receive any complaint or any information that could help them to launch an investigation. “Those who make allegations unfortunately do not give us details that would help an investigation. Our not receiving a complaint does not mean that these terrible things did not take place. We are also very concerned." At the same time he assured that the government was working to protect victims from further indignity saying, "We have deployed police and soldiers at every shelter for the protection of refugees”.

Carol Bellamy, executive director of the UN Children's Fund, told a media conference in Colombo part of the focus of her organisation's work in the country was to "ensure children are protected from exploitation". "In tumult like this, when families are broken apart, when incomes are lost, when dignity and hope are in short supply, children are more vulnerable to abuses," Bellamy said. "Our relief efforts must be conceived and carried out in a way that reduces these vulnerabilities and helps restore children's trust in the world."

At the same time, various groups are also concerned about the future of orphans, especially in the northern part of the island where that LTTE continues to provide relief. Groups fear that these children will grow up to be suicide bombers. Yet, while few groups have come forward to adopt or provide foster homes for very young children, there is little choice. Some volunteers are hopeful that more organizations will begin to provide for younger children and infants.

In a recent report, 25 Sinhalese families from Kandy have offered to provide foster care to 25 children from Batticaloa. Meanwhile, groups such as the YMCA Batticaloa, local churches, temples and civic organizations continue to provide relief as they can.

In India, while there have been no reports of molestation or sexual abuse, the National Human Rights Council has warned various state governments to be aware of possibilities of sexual abuse of women and children and trafficking of children.

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