BY FR. SHAY CULLEN
Boys deprived of liberty
Preda continues to campaign for the release of boys deprived of liberty by advocating on social media the proper implementation of the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Law. This law, Republic Act No. 9344, which Preda campaigned to be enacted, says youth 15 and younger cannot be deprived of liberty and cannot be charged with a crime or held in detention. Yet, the children are still being arrested and locked up in detention centers. Some are street children, seriously at risk of abuse. The boys older than 15 and charged with wrongdoing are treated like criminals and held behind bars in large jail cells, sometimes twenty to a barred cell. They are called children in conflict with the law. They are rescued by Preda and others are referred by local social workers and family court judges to the Preda homes for boys.
Preda has helped thousands of youth be released from sub-human detention cells, healed and educated since 1974 when Preda first started 50 years ago. The anniversary will be celebrated on 22 February 2024 at the Preda Octagon building in Subic town. That rescue and release work continues today in the Preda therapeutic homes for boys deprived of freedom.
A total of 38 young boys were rescued this year and lived at an open Preda home in a spacious countryside home in Nagbayan, Castillejos, Zambales. There, they enjoy a life free from abuse and are accepted, encouraged, reaffirmed and given emotional therapy to deal with the pains of childhood suffering, rejection, punishment and abuse. Now, they have a happier life and a better chance in life through Preda that provides education, therapy and values formation, sports, fun and games in an open center where the dignity of every child is respected.
Preda New Dawn home for boys in Cebu
There are now 28 boys in conflict with the law in the Preda New Dawn Home in Liloan, Cebu. These youth have pending court cases and have been released from the severe subhuman jail conditions in government youth detention centers. There, they suffer greatly. Preda convinces judges to use the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Law to release them and transfer them to the Preda home for boys in Liloan, Cebu. Here, they have a new life, with therapy, education and a great chance to start life anew. The Preda aftercare program looks after them also. The boys are very grateful for the love and concern and financial support of Aktionsgruppe based in Germany.
Preventive education
The work raising awareness of human rights and children’s rights to prevent abuse and exploitation continue to be implemented after the pause during the lock-downs of Covid years. Now, it is back and in January a new phase of this important program is focused on teachers, students and their parents to prevent child abuse and encourage children to report victimization.
The seminars teach the correct procedure for parents and teachers to follow when they suspect or know of child abuse anywhere. Preda conducts these seminars and gets the audience actively involved. Some of the Preda scholars who are victim-survivors of abuse are guest speakers. They freely tell their stories and give great advice from the personal experiences of abuse and human trafficking. Several thousand will be receiving these seminars until April 2024. Donors who understand the need for preventive education are encouraged to donate to support these free seminars for duty-bearers. (To be continued)/PN
