Partnering with teens who are overcoming trauma in their journey to heal, thrive, and transform our world.

Despite alarming reports that between 14-44% of girls in Sri Lanka experience child sexual abuse [1], most cases of child sexual abuse remain hidden and unreported.

Child sexual abuse in Sri Lanka is a public health crisis, hidden in plain sight. It’s time we change this. Together.

Emerge is advancing the well-being, self-determination, and leadership of survivors, while transforming systemic responses to child sexual abuse.

Together, we are building a future where every child in Sri Lanka is safe, loved, and empowered to thrive.

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  • "I was 17 years old when I joined Emerge. I connected with Emerge when my life was at a very low point. All the staff members gave me hope to live. We worked together as a family. I was able to learn many things, and lead a very happy life. I see Emerge as a large network, a family network filled with care and security."

    -Emerge Participant

  • “My favourite time at the Emerge Centre was the self-defence course. The training has helped me feel better about myself. When I first started, I did not know how to protect myself. Before the self-defence course I felt scared of going into society, I felt afraid when people looked at me. Now, I feel confident that I could protect myself from harm. Later on, I hope this is something that I could use to teach other people. I want to teach to be able to help children defend themselves, so they don’t have to go through difficult situations.”

    -Emerge Participant

  • “Counseling was my favorite part of the program. I have never been able to talk to a counselor before. When I feel sad, or am having bad thoughts, I can talk to the counselor. After talking I feel like I can be present again, I feel release.”

    -Emerge Participant

  • "I have no words to express what Emerge means to me. When we were sad and alone in the shelter, it was only Emerge that I felt close to and it was only because of Emerge that I could keep happiness within my heart. It was the Beads-to-Business programme that helped me through when I felt trapped and lonely in the shelter. Emerge has helped me so much even after I left the shelter. I am so thankful to Emerge. Emerge keeps helping me to this day. My husband also agrees that Emerge is a special place with special people."

    -Emerge Participant

Citation:

1. Rohanachandra, Yasodha & Amarabandu, Irosha & Dassanayake, Prasanna. (2021). Child sexual abuse presenting to a teaching hospital in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka Journal of Child Health. 50. 650. 10.4038/sljch.v50i4.9856.