Pinching, insults are forms of child abuse -- lawyer
We often see
parents and other adults pinch or hurl insults at children, thinking that they
have the right to do so, but a lawyer said that these, too are forms of
child abuse.
“Something as
simple as pinching a child is a form of child abuse, based on the Republic Act
7610. The law is very broad as even psychological abuse is covered. That’s
also child abuse when you intentionally demean a child. Examples are when you call a child stupid or
useless. Everyone has a right to call the parent and guardian’s attention if
they are abusing their children,” said Atty. Carol Salvatierra, president of
the Women Law Advocates of the Philippines, Inc.–Iloilo Chapter, said.
RA 7610 is
otherwise known as Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse,
Exploitation and Discrimination Act.
She said some
examples of child abuse are; (1) Failure to provide the basic needs of a child;
(2) Failure to immediately give medical treatment to an injured child resulting
in serious impairment of his growth and development or in his permanent
incapacity or death; (3) When a child or
his/her service is used to pay a debt; (4) Child labor for more than four hours
and no permit from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). If it’s a
family business, the whole positive growth of the child has to be considered;
(5) If a child below 15 years old is allowed to appear in a commercial
promoting liquor, obscene publication and indecent shows; and (6) recruiting
children to work for prostitution and pornography which is also a violation of
Republic Act 9208 or Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act; (7) Coercing children to
beg or push drugs; (8) When a child belonging to an indigenous group is
discriminated; among others.
She took special
mention of the incident where a father slammed his child
on the pavement. The child died a day after that. “There are so
many cases like that in the barrios,” Atty. Salvatierra said.
She also cited
the case of singer Freddie Aguilar and his 16-year-old girlfriend. “Aguilar admitted
that he was not aware that his girlfriend is 16 years old but he continued the
relationship until now. Under the Revised Penal Code, only the offended party
can file a case. But under RA 7610, anybody can file a complaint. They can be
the offended party, parents, Department of Social Welfare and Development,
barangay chairman, any three concerned responsible citizens in the area who saw
them. The law protects the child. If you are under 18 years old, the law
considers you a child,” she explained.
She added that
the law also covers those who are above 18 years old but incapable of
protecting themselves, like the insane and mentally deranged.
Apart from RA
7610 and RA 9208, children’s rights are also covered in Republic Act 9262 or
Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004.
Some violations
are causing or threatening harm to the woman or her child, placing women and
children in harm’s way, restricting a woman or child’s movements, and sexual
abuse, among others.
HEROES FOR CHILDREN AND WOMEN
Atty. Salvatierra
said that as lawyers, members of the WLAP believe they can use their expertise
for women empowerment and protection of children.
“We help in
filing cases. Women come to us for help in filing cases. As lawyers, we can help,” she said.
“We also hold
lectures to create awareness. We tie up with organizations and the City and
Province of Iloilo. We also had a signed solidarity with youth leaders to help
protect children’s rights,” she said.
“We also use our
expertise in our partnership with the Bantay Dagat, persons with disabilities
(PWDs) and more,” she added.
SHELTER FOR ABUSED CHILDREN
Every February,
WLAP-Iloilo goes to the Home for Girls in Cabatuan to give gifts and
orientation.
“They cater to 15
to 40 abused girls at a time,” she said.
“There are many
rape cases in far-flung barangays. There is even a case of four siblings whose
perpetrator is their father. They are now in the shelter. The eldest child even
gave birth and the baby also lives in the shelter,” she said.
“In the city, we
don’t have a shelter for these kids. If we could find sponsors to put up a
shelter for them, it would be good,” she said.
WLAP is also in
partnership with Chameleon Association based in Passi City.
“Chameleon has
many girls under their care because they cover Western Visayas. Last October,
in celebration of Children’s Month, WLAP and Chameleon held a writeshop and
lecture on child’s rights at West Visayas State University.
Last year, WLAP
held a fashion show to raise funds for Chameleon Association’s operations.
This year, on
December 2, they will hold another fashion show for the same cause.
Entitled “Icons
2”, it will be held at the lobby of the Iloilo Provincial Capitol. The
dinner-fashion show will feature designer Sidney Eculla’s collection made of
abaca and pina.
Salvatierra is
urging Ilonggos to support this event as it is one way to empower Chameleon to
continue promoting children’s welfare.
CHAMELEON
“Chameleon is
actively undertaking an overwhelming responsibility of rehabilitating sexually
abused girls in the Philippines for 16 years now. In order to keep its vision
afire, Chameleon seeks to establish strategic partnerships with corporations,
institutions, like-minded organizations and individuals that find value in
restoring the future of maltreated girls and financially deprived Filipino
children as a whole,” said Chee Mallonga, resource mobilization and development
officer of Chameleon Association.
She said the NGO
was established in 1997 at Barangay Sabologon, Passi City by French women
Laurence Ligier and Ellien Regondon.
They are also
rehabilitating school libraries and soliciting books for these libraries.
“We are currently
rehabilitating the libraries of Brgy. Bulabog Elementary School, Bingawan,
Iloilo; Maasin Elementary School, Passi City, Iloilo; and Dominador Abang Memorial
National High School, San Enrique, Iloilo,” Mallonga said.
She added that
they will have the First Chameleon Fun Run on Nov. 23, 4:30 a.m. at SM City
Iloilo.
They are also
crafting more initiatives to develop local educational sponsorships for poor but
deserving students in Passi City, Bingawan and San Enrique.
Visit their website at:
http://www.cameleon-association.org/en/.*