THE RECENT approval of Republic Act No. 11648 or the “End Child Rape” Law serves as a much-needed beacon of light amid the darkness inflicted by the two years of the pandemic. The new law increases the age for determining the commission of statutory rape from below 12 to below 16 years old. This development means that an adult engaging in sexual activity with a minor below 16 – the new age of sexual consent – will automatically be guilty of rape.
The new law amends the archaic provisions of the Revised Penal Code. Its most important provisions include the clauses that:
* increase the age to determine statutory rape from below 12 to below 16 years old
* equalize the protection for victims of rape, whether a boy or a girl; and
* adopt the “close in age exemption,” which serves to reduce or eliminate the penalty of the crime in cases where the couple’s age difference is minor
It is also hoped that Republic Act No. 11648 will encourage victim-survivors to seek protection from the new law. Many victims are keeping the abuse to themselves for fear of stigma and discrimination.
The realization of this new law is a victory for the Filipino children. The road to ending child rape begins today. Advocates, armed with his law, should work alongside the government to ensure that they can maximize the protection that Republic Act No. 11648 brings.
Also important: the public needs to fully understand the content of the law. Full knowledge of it is a preventative strategy to ending child rape.
The main challenge, however, is to ensure its full implementation. So we encourage everyone to unite in the common goal of ending child rape in the country. Everyone has a part in fully implementing the new law.
We encourage everyone to be vigilant and proactive in reporting cases to the proper authorities as long as confidentiality is strictly observed and consent from the victim is secured.
