The safe transit house was officially opened in 2006 and is currently receiving much needed upgrades.

A 13-year-old girl sits in the corner of a colourful safe house surrounded by toys, carers and other children. She has bruises on her face and body caused by extensive beatings from her parents. The girl has been removed by authorities from an unsafe domestic situation and has been placed in a transit house where she is being cared for in a protected and secure environment.

Abused children from Ampara district in the transitional rehabilitation period are now being cared for at a safe transit home located in Ampara.

The Sewalanka-operated transit home was developed in conjunction with Ampara District Child Protection and UNICEF funding to provide a safe living environment for abused children until they are able to return home or to alternative family care.

The service is available for children while legal matters are proceeding and while probation officers determine long-term rehabilitation and housing options.

The Safe Transit House has been operating since 2006 and caters to children aged six to 19 years old. The centre is currently receiving a much needed upgrade which will further enhance the living conditions and the safety of the children residing in the house.

Mr Deepal Chandrathilake, Regional Field Director (East) said the house is situated along a busy road with little privacy and no walls for security.

“There is land around the building but this is currently uneven overgrowth. These conditions mean that children have to play mostly indoors and therefore have little access to play areas and sports which are importanat for their psychosocial wellbeing,” Mr Chandrathilake said.

“The house size also needs expanding. The small kitchen makes it difficult for children to help with cooking and washing up. These activities provide a sense of normalcy and make the transit house feel more like a home.

“With the generous support of UNICEF, we are now commencing work to enhance the facility.

“Improvements will include the creation of a kitchen and playground, construction of a wall around the house to ensure privacy and security for the children, as well as the purchasing of a three-wheeler to transport the children to school and court appearances.

“The funding for the upgrade will also allow the centre's management to hire two additional staff members. A cook and a three-wheeler driver will join the manager and two caretakers currently working on site,” he said.

Children are referred to the house from the six local magistrates' courts in the District and from the Ampara High Court. Prior to the establishment of the centre, child abuse victims whose cases were being held in these courts and who required a safe living environment were taken to a safe house in Batticaloa.

The District Child Protection Committee makes the final decision in allocating children to the transit house. Once at the house, children are provided with a range of health and welfare services including counselling by a professional psychologist. They also participate in school classes. The children are encouraged to interact with each other through play and a range of arts and educational activities.

The transit house is primarily managed by Sewalanka Foundation and is assisted by a management committee that includes representatives from UNICEF, the Police Women and Child Desk, as well as a psychologist and protection officers. The committee meets fortnightly to discuss future cases, the progress of each child and actions taken to place them in a safe permanent environment.

The transit house also follows up on the welfare of each child once they have left the centre to ensure that they do not find themselves in another abusive situation.