S T O R I E S O F I M PACT:
W A R U N I B O G A H A W A T T A
C O M M U N I T Y P O L I C I N G P R O G R A M
For the past 20 years, Waruni has been working at the Children ' s and Women’ s Bureau at the Matara Police division; she is currently the Inspector of Police and head of programs. Within her portfolio, Waruni focuses on child and abuse prevention strategies and support services for victims of violence. Her work spans from supporting victims through education and counselling to law enforcement, which includes dealing with repercussions for offenders. The Community Policing Program, in her opinion, addresses a gap in legal procedures such as the lack of support for victims of violence. She feels that the knowledge sharing that happens through programs like these are positive. She states the prevention of violence is the utmost importance: " We only have“ victims” in post-violence acts. If there are preventative measures, there won’ t be victims at all." The programming reaches a number of people from women, police officers, coastal regions, divisions and school students. The program has allowed Waruni to gain key informants from the community including three-wheeler drivers and bus conductors. Since they are well integrated into the community and knowledgeable about street routes, they can also be positive advocates for violence prevention. The impact of this program has resulted in changing attitudes in the community, strengthens and stronger connection in community relationships, and more information shared on preventing violence. Waruni hopes that there will be a stop in these issues in the future; she hopes that there’ ll be an eradication of all kinds of abuses and violence everywhere.
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" We only have ' victims ' in the post-violence acts. If there are preventative measures, there won’ t be victims at all."