The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and its attached agency, the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC), call on the public to be united in combating child abuse and exploitation.
This is in observance of the 19th National Awareness Week for the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation or Child Sexual Abuse Awareness Week (CSAAW) from February 7-13 with the theme: Labanan ang Pag-aabusong Sekswal sa mga Bata: Now na!
The theme gives emphasis to the importance and urgency in fighting and preventing child sexual abuse and exploitation through public awareness.
The celebration will be marked by activities that will increase awareness and strengthen the promotion of the rights of the child such as the following:
Fun and Learning Day with Children on February 7 at Sunken Garden, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City Flash Mob with DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano- Soliman on February 8 at Liwasang Aurora, Quezon City Circle and Safer Internet Day Campaign and Forum on the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation in Emergencies at Bayview Hotel, Manila on February 13.
The public is enjoined to participate in these activities.
Protecting children
Sec. Corazon Juliano-Soliman appealed to everyone to do his or her part to stop child sexual abuse and exploitation by reporting any case of abuse that they know of to the proper authorities.
“Don’t be silent about child sexual abuse. We have an obligation to ensure the safety and well-being not only our own children but practically all children,” Sec. Soliman said.
DSWD implements preventive programs to protect children from being abused and exploited, and rehabilitative programs for abused victims to ensure their healing and recovery.
The preventive programs are Alternative Parental Care Program which provides permanent or temporary family care arrangement for children whose parents are unable to ensure protection, Family Development Sessions (FDS) for Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program beneficiaries, Parent Effectiveness Service (PES), and Empowerment and Reaffirmation of Paternal Abilities (ERPAT).
The goal of FDS, PES, and ERPAT is to enhance parental roles, thereby ensuring child protection and development.
Meanwhile, the rehabilitative programs are undertaken through the Residential Care Service which is the provision of temporary shelter and center-based services such as psychosocial treatments and case management.
The Regional Haven (Center for Women and Girls), the Reception and Study Center for Children (RSCC), and Marillac Hills, which are all managed by the DSWD, provide rehabilitative service to child abuse victims.
From 2012 to January 2015, a total of 1,319 sexually abused and exploited children were served by the Department.
Parents, barangay and municipal officials and members of private groups are all encouraged to join the observance to strengthen the promotion of the right of the child towards a Child-Friendly society. ###
