Stop violence against children

Violence against children remains a critical issue globally, with the Philippines being no exception. The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) estimates that three out of five Filipino children experience violent discipline. On a larger scale, of the 33.4 million children aged 1 to 14, approximately 20 million (59 percent) have experienced violent discipline in the past month. Despite various efforts to curb this menace, the prevalence of physical, emotional, and sexual violence against children in the Philippines continues to alarm child rights advocates and policymakers.

In this age and time, with the government's ceaseless campaign to nurture children without violence, it is troubling to know that discipline using violence is still pervasive. In a civilized society, violence as a form of punishment for children is unacceptable.

In the Philippines, there are already laws that outlaw violence against children. These laws, enacted several years ago, continue to be relevant for the protection of children. Perhaps one of the best laws, though often misconstrued, is Republic Act 7610, or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act. According to UNICEF reports, 32 years after the enactment of this law in 1992, 59 percent of Filipino children continue to face abuse. This raises questions about the effectiveness of government information dissemination regarding children’s rights.

Child abuse is not only a phenomenon in the Philippines. It is a worldwide issue, with UNICEF reporting that 400 million children under the age of five experience violent discipline methods that affect them physically and psychologically. This violence often occurs in their homes and excludes other abuses perpetrated by parents, siblings, and relatives, most heinously sexual abuse.

According to UNICEF, parents and other adult family members in many countries worldwide subject more than two in three children to violent discipline through physical punishment or psychological aggression. Given the current level of technology, there should be measures to reach out to parents to raise their awareness about the proper methods of disciplining their children.

Physical violence against children in the Philippines includes corporal punishment at home and in schools, physical abuse by family members, and violence in the community. Schools, intended as safe havens, often become environments where children face physical punishment from educators. Everyone should understand that several laws, including the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006, enunciate that corporal punishment is unlawful.

Unfortunately, many people still accept corporal punishment as a form of discipline. Civil society organizations have been pushing for a law that prohibits corporal punishment and instead promotes positive discipline as an alternative.

Sexual violence is one of the most heinous forms of abuse that children in the Philippines face. This includes incest, sexual exploitation, and online sexual abuse. The proliferation of the internet has exacerbated the problem, with the Philippines becoming a global hotspot for the live-streaming of child sexual abuse. Economic hardship drives some families to exploit their children sexually for monetary gain, leading to lifelong psychological and physical trauma for the victims.

Bullying, both in schools and online, is a significant issue affecting Filipino children. Peer violence can range from verbal taunts to physical assaults and cyberbullying. The rise of social media platforms has provided a new avenue for bullies to target victims anonymously, leading to severe consequences, including suicides. There have been several cases in the Philippines that have resulted in the deaths of teenagers, highlighting the severe impact of bullying on Filipino children.

There is a significant lack of awareness regarding children's rights and the impact of violence on their development. Many parents and guardians are unaware of alternative, non-violent forms of discipline and conflict resolution.

Our government has enacted several laws aimed at protecting children from violence. These include the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act and the Anti-Bullying Act. Recent efforts focus on strengthening these laws and ensuring stricter penalties for offenders.

Non-government organizations and international organizations, including UNICEF and Save the Children, have been actively involved in raising awareness about child rights and the impact of violence. Campaigns like "SaferKidsPH" aim to educate both children and adults about the dangers of online sexual exploitation and how to prevent it.

Community-based programs are essential in addressing violence against children. These programs should involve local leaders, parents, and children in creating a safer environment. We conduct training sessions on positive parenting and child protection to empower communities to safeguard their children.

In line with the efforts of local government units to curb violence against children, I commend Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte for her leadership in combating child labor and other forms of violence among minors in her city. Mayor Belmonte highlights that Quezon City has implemented various programs, such as the Zero Child Labor Action Plan, strengthened the Barangay Council for the Protection of Children (BCPC), established Task Force Sampaguita and Magdalena, and created a Child Labor Prevention and Elimination Program section within the Public Employment Service Office (PESO).

The Quezon City government has also partnered with various nongovernmental organizations to address the alarming increase in online sexual abuse and exploitation cases in the Philippines. These NGOs include Mission Alliance Philippines, the Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Child Sexual Abuse, Plan International, and the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Manila.

Let’s face it, child abuse in various forms continues to be pervasive. Initiatives at the local level can significantly help curb violence against children.

Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in the foregoing article are solely the author’s and do not reflect the opinions and beliefs of the Philippine News Agency (PNA) or any other office under the Presidential Communications Office.