Trafficking of photographs and sexual scenes of children and women

The Ministry of Child and Women's Affairs states that information has been revealed about a large-scale organized racket involving the creation of various groups on leading social media networks, including Facebook, to sell and buy private photos of women and children, as well as obscene content. In light of this situation, the Ministry has taken steps to provide the necessary urgent interventions, focusing its full attention on preventing women and children from becoming victims.

The information revealed from initial investigations has been referred for further investigation to the Sri Lanka Police Children and Women's Bureau as well as the Computer Crime Investigation Division. During the examination of these illicit social media groups, it has been revealed that individuals have attempted to sell photos and videos of their close relatives and family members using fake accounts. Furthermore, it has been identified that the majority of these illegal trafficking groups are operated from foreign countries.

The Ministry emphasizes that parents should pay close attention to their children's social media usage and the people they associate with, as there is a high risk of women and children in the family falling victim to such unsafe situations even within their own homes. It has also been advised that if a family member is found to be a victim of such a racket or observed to be addicted to it, steps should be taken to immediately refer them to psychosocial counseling services.

To protect against such crimes and to obtain necessary legal advice and support, the Ministry of Child and Women's Affairs has introduced the toll-free helpline numbers 1938 and 1929. Meanwhile, activists are also conducting a wide awareness campaign by adding a large number of articles and videos to the internet to educate social media users about this serious risk.