Speaking Up for Those Who Can’t
Written By: Rashani Rathnayake
Voice IT- Speaking Up for Those Who Cannot
In the current world, many painful realities have been silently normalized. Abuse, harassment, bullying, sexual violence, and rape continue to happen around us, yet we often choose silence. We worry about society, reputation, and what people might say. So, we look away. We move on. We pretend not to see. But the truth is simple and uncomfortable these issues are still happening in every single day.
We may not be able to change the entire world overnight, obviously we cannot. We may not be able to change the people mindsets. But we can change ourselves and our thoughts. why cannot we choose to speak? why we cannot choose act?
That belief is why VoiceIT was created.
VoiceIT is a community service initiative by the Rotaract Club of APIIT created to support and empower individuals affected by harassment, bullying, abuse, unsafe relationships, and gender-based violence. It exists to give voice to those who were forced into silence.
Only for a moment?
Heartbreaking incidents often make headlines. They shock us. They anger us. For a moment, society reacts. People protest. People speak out.
But then what?
We have seen this pattern too many times. Tragic cases like the Seya incident, the Vidya incident, and countless other crimes in Sri Lanka caused outrage but only temporarily. Lives were lost. And no matter how loudly society reacted afterwards, those lives can never be brought back.
Punishing offenders is important. Justice matters. But the bigger question remains Has anything truly changed?
Even today, many girls cannot safely return home alone at night. There is no guarantee of safety. No sense of protection. And the so-called Solutions offered by society are deeply flawed restricting girls freedom, silencing them, or expecting them to endure abuse quietly to protect family or social reputation.
Domestic violence, cyberbullying, and harassment are often hidden behind silence. People are afraid to speak because they fear judgment, blame, and damage to their reputation. This fear allows abuse to continue.
And this is not a women only issue. Harassment and abuse have no gender. Boys experience it too. Anyone can be a victim.
VoiceIT was created to challenge this mindset not by locking people inside homes, but by educating, empowering, and creating safe spaces to speak.
Phase 1 PR Campaign
Through our PR campaign we began collecting anonymous confessions. As we read these stories, we realized that so many people are suffering in silence
They carry emotions they cannot share. Stories they cannot tell publicly. Pain they have hidden for years. For many, this was a safe space where they could feel free enough to express what they had been holding inside.
To ensure responsible and ethical storytelling, we discussed these confessions with psychologists and lawyers, creating informative video content that provided guidance, validation, and clarity.
We also introduced real life story segments based on actual incidents that occurred in Sri Lanka, presenting them truthfully to reflect the harsh realities faced by victims.
Movie Night: Learning Through Real Stories
As part of the PR phase, VoiceIT hosted a Movie Night Experience using cinema as a tool for awareness and reflection
~ Silenced - a film based on a real incident in South Korea, showing how children suffered in silence and how money and power manipulated justice. This film reminded us of our responsibility to stand against injustice and protect the vulnerable
~ Caught in His Web - a powerful and inspiring story of courage, resilience, and strength. Despite everything they faced, the characters stood up, survived, and inspired others to do the same
These screenings created safe spaces for discussion, empathy, and reflection turning stories into conversations, and conversations into awareness
To amplify the message further, we included video messages from celebrities, Rotaract president, other APIIT club presidents, and APIIT lecturers ensuring the message reached wider audiences and encouraged collective responsibility
In addition, during the VoiceIT initiative we conducted interviews with members of the public while maintaining social distancing. Many people chose not to participate, as they felt hesitant or fearful discussing sensitive topics such as harassment and abuse.
However several individuals shared insightful messages for victims, and some bravely recounted their personal experiences. One foreign national courageously spoke about a harassment incident she faced while using public transportation in Sri Lanka.
To respect privacy, none of the participants faces are shown in the video. The content has been shared to raise awareness, encourage dialogue, and empower victims to speak up.
Phase 2: School Awareness Sessions ~ Guiding the Next Generation
VoiceIT moved into schools with official endorsements from the Sri Lanka Police and the Ministry of Education, ensuring credibility and impact. Sessions were conducted by Sri Lanka Police officers, focusing on harassment, bullying, online grooming, and personal safety
~ The first session was held at Vidyalanakara Maha Vidyalaya
~ The second session took place at St. Johns College Dematagoda
These sessions revealed a harsh reality many such incidents are still happening in Sri Lanka, and many young people are unaware of how to identify danger, seek help, or protect themselves. Educating children early is not optional, it is essential.
Why VoiceIT?
VoiceIT is it not the just awareness campaign. It is a movement
Through community outreach, partnerships with UNFPA, the Family Planning Association, law enforcement, UNDP and the Ministry of Transport, VoiceIT aims to create lasting change from educating vulnerable communities to making public spaces safer through hotline visibility and transport safety initiatives.
Our aim is to create a culture in the society where people voice against harassment, stand with victims and may VoiceIT be a reason where this starts, may this foundation build a lifelong impact in the society.
We know we cannot end abuse overnight. We know we cannot change everyone. But if even one person finds courage, hope, or support through VoiceIT then our mission matters.
Fear is not for you
It belongs to those who commit crimes
VoiceIT for those who cannot speak