“Some Scars Are Invisible – Speak Up, Seek Support,”

THE Zonta Club Il of Colombo hosted an impactful program titled, ‘Raising Awareness, Understanding and Preventing Emotional Abuse” atthe Cinnamon Grand Colombo recently, Held under the theme, “Some Scars Are Invisible — Speak Up, Seek Support,’ the event attended by members of the Zonta Club, police personals, clergy, and other distinguished guests aimed to shed light on the hidden yet deeply damaging issue of emotional abuse.

- By Amira Cader

The program began with an awareness and training session led by Independent Domestic Violence ‘Adviser (UK) and Attorney-at-Law Shahran Mowlana focused on increasing understanding of emotional abuse—particularly against women—while equipping first responders such as teachers, HR professionals, community leaders and law enforcement officers with the skills to identity, respond to and support victims compassionately and effectively.

A panel discussion followed later in the day, moderated by International Member ofthe American Psychological Assocation Rasini Bandara,

‘She steered an open and insightful dialogue, encouraging participants to engage with the often-overlooked emotional and psychological dimensions of abuse.

The panel featured Attorney-at-Law Jerusha Crosette-Thambiah, Open University of SriLanka Head of the Department of Psychology and Counselling Clinical Psychologist Dr. Ransirini De Silva, Miss Sri Lanka for Miss World 2024 Anudi Gunesekera and Corporate HR Professional and SME Trainer Chathurani Kulatunga.

Attorney-at-Law Jerusha Crosette-Thambiah highlighted the legal challenges many women face, especially in matters relating to property and financial independence.

She emphasised that Sri Lankan law offers very limited protection to women in situations where property is solely under the husband's name—meaning thatiin the event ofa divorce, the wife may not receive anything from assets. To safeguard themselves, she strongly advised couples to maintain joint bank accounts and shared ownership of property.