The Regional Council for the Welfare of Children (RCWC)–7 expresses its concern about the high rate of exposure of children to both physical and sexual violence in the region. Physical injuries and intentional mutilation, rape, and acts of lasciviousness are some forms violence and the most prevalent ones, based on the statistics of Police Regional Office 7.

The following is the statistics of reported cases of crimes committed against children for the last three (3) years from 2015-2017.  In the year 2015, a total of 2, 980 while 1,919 in 2016 and 1,833 in 2017 reported cases.  Incidents of physical injuries comprise 40.37% (1,203/2,980) in 2015 while 44.45% (853/1,919) in 2016 and 42.44% (778/1,833) in 2017 of these abuses, while rape comes second with 17.11% (510/2,980) in 2015 while 22.10% (426/1,919) in 2016 and 24.60% (451/1,833) in 2017 and combined statistics of other acts of lasciviousness and other acts of abuses at 40.44% (1,205/2,980) in 2015 while 31.28% (602/1,919) in 2016 and 29% (534/1,833) in 2017.

The statistics is alarming. Due to their age, children are vulnerable to violence which has both short and long term effects that the child may not recover from.

According to the World Report on Violence and Health (2002), violence against children is the “physical maltreatment, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, neglect or negligent treatment, or commercial and other forms of exploitation, resulting in actual or potential harm to the child’s health, survival, development or dignity in the context of a relationship of responsibility, trust or power”.

Studies show that an experience of violence can lead to lasting physical, mental, and emotional harm, whether the child is a direct victim or a witness. Children who are exposed to violence are more likely to suffer from attachment problems, regressive behavior, anxiety, and depression, and to have aggression and conduct problems. [1]

Other health-related problems, as well as academic and cognitive problems, delinquency, and involvement in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems, are also associated with experiences of violence. [2],[3],[4] Even community violence that children do not directly witness has been shown to affect negatively children’s attentional abilities [5] and cognitive performance. [6]  Children exposed to violence are more likely than those not experiencing violence to become victims or perpetrators of further violence. [7],[8]

Violence against children can happen even in the safest haven for a child, which is the home. It also happens in schools, the community, work place, in public places and

even in cyber space. Statistics likewise show these children are victims of people they know – their father or mother, extended family members, guardians, neighbors, teachers and employers. Violence committed by strangers also figure, especially with the advent of the age of internet where perpetrators such as the sexual predators and trolls can come from other parts of the world.

The RCWC is an inter-agency council that it envisions a child-friendly and child sensitive society that allows children to enjoy their rights. It is concerned that should this violence continue against children, they will grow up as adults perpetrating the same kind of violence they witnessed, experienced, or are exposed to.  Thus, there is an urgency of institutionalizing child protection mechanisms to end these types of violence. Child protection prevents and responds to psychological distress and violence, abuse, exploitation and discrimination committed against children, especially the most vulnerable.

The RCWC-7 is also calling on the different pillars of justice to ensure that children’s cases are given priority and violators are accordingly punished. It is imperative that the public and all stakeholders should help stop all forms of violence on children.

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