ILOILO City – Child abuse remains a problem in Western Visayas, as confirmed by the latest data from the Philippine National Police (PNP).
According to the Council for the Welfare of Children, an agency under the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) that focuses on child welfare, a total of 1,203 cases of violence against women and children (VAWC) were reported in 2024.
Additionally, 282 cases involved children in conflict with the law (CICL), and 200 cases were identified as children at risk (CAR), bringing the total to 1,685 incidents involving abused or at-risk children.
“Cases continue to rise. From 2023 to 2024, we observed a noticeable increase, particularly under Republic Act (RA) 7610, our Anti-Child Abuse Law,” said Franz Hermocillas in an interview with Panay News.
Common cases under the VAWC category include child abuse under RA 7610, acts of lasciviousness, the Anti-Rape Law, and RA 9262, which addresses violence against women and their children.
For CICL, prevalent offenses committed by children include statutory rape, homicide, robbery, slight physical injury, maltreatment, and theft.
Meanwhile, CAR cases often involve violations of “status offenses”, such as curfew violations or riding motorcycles with minors, as well as other local government ordinances.
Causes of Child Abuse
According to Hermocillas, three main factors contribute to child abuse: parental, environmental, and child-related factors.
“These factors are divided into three categories: parental, environmental, and child-related,” he explained.
Parental factors include parents with mental health issues or those who abuse alcohol, leading to violence against their children. Other contributing factors include parental neglect of basic needs and unwanted pregnancies.
Environmental factors primarily involve poverty and the lack of opportunities for parents to improve their families’ financial situation, which can lead to stress and violence.
Child-related factors are often linked to bullying in schools, especially when a child has physical or developmental disabilities.
Interventions by Local Gov’ts, Agencies
Hermocillas explained that there is a referral pathway for children in need of special protection or victims of violence. Case management begins at the local government level, spearheaded by the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO), PNP, the Department of Education (DepEd), and local councils focused on child protection.
“The intervention provided depends on the specifics of each case,” he said.
For example, children who have been victims of abuse with no remaining family members may be referred to DSWD facilities such as the Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth or the Home for Girls.
Local government units (LGUs) also offer facilities for children in conflict with the law. In Iloilo City, the Balay Dalayunan and in Iloilo Province, Bahay Pag-asa provide support for these children.
Hermocillas emphasized that the Council, in collaboration with LGUs, remains committed to ensuring the welfare of abused children and those who have committed crimes, focusing on restorative justice under RA 9344, the Comprehensive Juvenile Justice and Welfare System.
“Our aim is rehabilitation, not punishment, as our children are often misdirected by their circumstances. We work to restore their lives to normal functioning,” Hermocillas said.
In observance of the National Awareness Week for the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation, running from February 8 to 14, Hermocillas reiterated the Council’s commitment to providing technical assistance to LGUs, ensuring that proper care and attention are given to both child abuse victims and children in conflict with the law.
“The council, together with the LGUs, will continue to provide the necessary support to these children,” Hermocillas added./PN
