DSWD Urges Public To Help Curb Sexual Abuse, Exploitation Among Children

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) urged Monday all sectors to join hands in providing a culture of care for children through protecting them from sexual abuses and other forms of exploitation.

DSWD Secretary Corazon J. Soliman made this call in her message delivered by Director Pacita D. Sarino, OIC, Director IV of DSWD Protective Service Bureau during the kick-off ceremony in the observance of the 20th National Awareness Week for the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation at the Quezon Memorial Circle.

In her statement, Soliman said that the fitting theme “I AM THE SOLUTION” is an important message for everyone to think of ways to create changes in their communities to make a meaningful impact in the campaign against sexual violence among children.

Soliman added that it is important for all sectors to contribute to the initiative through reporting, guiding, checking and monitoring the occurrence of sexual abuse and exploitation which greatly threatens the welfare of children.

Aside from asking pro-active participations from different government agencies and non-governmental organizations partners, the DSWD chief called on officials of local government units (LGUs) to be vigilant and activate the Barangay Council for the Protection of Children (BCPC) to formulate ordinances that are protective of children’s rights and welfare as a “first line of defense”.

“(To BCPC through the LGUs), Let us enact and implement child-friendly laws and ordinances. These are important to protect our children. An example would be the regulation of internet shops in the community and the sale of liquor,” Soliman said in Filipino.

She made the call in line with the rampant cases of cybersex which is one of the most prevalent forms of child abuse.

In addition, the DSWD chief emphasized that children should also be aware and know whom they can run to and ask for help should they experience an act of abuse. These include members of their family, community officials, social workers and authorities.

The kick-off ceremony was attended by Quezon City Mayor Herbert M. Bautista who also expressed concern on the prevalence of child abuse cases.

Bautista, together with DSWD Executive Director Patricia Luna of the Council of the Welfare of the Children, and other concerned groups vowed to get involved in stopping child abuse through a ceremonial signing of the “I AM THE SOLUTION” campaign.

“It must stop. We must shut all doors of opportunity for sexual abuse…Our children depend on us,” Bautista said as he cited his commitment to mobilize and formulate effective measures to provide every child a safer place to live.

Booths for film showing, photo booth, mobile clinic, I am the Solution Booth, and Positive discipline booth were installed during the ceremony. These are open to all delegates from different organizations in the National Capital Region supporting the fight on abuses versus children.

The activity was held by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 731 Series of 1996 that declares the second week of February of every year as the National Awareness Week for the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation.

Other activities prepared for the weeklong celebration are Safer Internet Day Campaign on February 9, Round Table discussion on sexual exploitation on children study in the NCR and many others.

As of January 2015, 1,319 (29 percent) out of 5,526 child abuse cases recorded by the DSWD are cases of sexual abuse and exploitation.

From 2012-2014, the agency said sexual abuse and exploitation remains the second most prevalent form of child abuse. (PNA) BNB/LSJ