THE COUNTRY is one step closer to passing a law that will provide stronger protection for children against sexual violence. Congress’ bicameral conference committee for the “Increasing the Age of Statutory Rape” Bill, more popularly known as the End Child Rape Bill, has concluded its deliberations on the bill, passing a consolidated version of the Senate and House versions.
The whole community of children’s rights advocates and organizations waited with bated breath, with the bicam deliberations taking longer than expected. Yet this did not dishearten advocates, and now, Congress is close to passing a law against child rape. This development comes in time for the celebration of National Children’s Month, and as such, this development is deemed a very welcome and fitting gift for Filipino children.
The bill contains essential provisions that increase the age for determining the commission of statutory rape from below 12 years old to below 16 years old, equalize protection for victims of rape, whether a boy or a girl, and adopt a “sweetheart clause,” a crucial provision to ensure that adolescents who are close in age and who engage in consensual, non-abusive, and non-exploitative sex are not tagged as sex offenders.
With the bicam consolidating Senate Bill 2332 and House Bill 7836, what is left is for both houses to approve the bicameral report before finally submitting the bill to the president for signing into law. Once signed, this bill will herald an era where children are better protected against the heinous crime of rape.
Time is of the essence in this issue, as every day the bill is stuck in the legislative limbo is another day when Filipino children are not afforded the law’s best protection against sexual abuse and exploitation.
The bicam passage of the End Child Rape Bill is a welcome respite amid the pandemic. There is no better way to celebrate National Children’s Month than with the passage of this landmark legislation. Generations of Filipino children will benefit from this bill.
