Together Let's Raise Awareness and Stop Child Violence

 

"Children are the world's most valuable resource and its best hope for the future." – John F. Kennedy. This month we celebrate the national children's month with the theme “Break the Prevalence, End the Violence: Protecting Children, Creating a Safe Philippines."

Unfortunately, in the Philippines, violence against children is very prevalent. Undersecretary Angelo Tapales, executive director of the CWC, informed reporters at the DSWD Media Forum on October 31 that 18,756 allegations of violations of children's rights were received by the Philippine National Police-Women and Children Protection Center in 2023. And in that 18,756 allegations of violations of children's rights, 17,304 reports are cases of violence against children, or what we call child abuse, including rape and acts of lasciviousness. Since 2016, these have been the top three violations against children. Any form of violence can affect a child's mental, emotional, and physical health. It can cause trauma and make children scared. And no child deserves to feel that way; we all deserve to be happy, feel safe, and feel protected. This is a serious problem that needs immediate response. As a youth, I believe that we can all contribute to breaking the prevalence of violence. 

The government should focus on this issue because they have the higher ability to combat this problem. And they should implement more laws about violence against children and make budget funds for programs for children who are victims of violence. Parents should further practice positive parenting. It is also important that we are aware of our rights and know how to protect ourselves from any types of harm. Let us all take this opportunity to spread awareness and remind ourselves to respect others. 

 REFERENCES

 
CWC exec-Department of Social Welfare and Development. (2024, November 1)32nd National Children’s Month seeks to end all forms of violence against children. https://www.dswd.gov.ph/32nd-national-childrens-month-seeks-to-end-all-forms-of-violence-against-children-cwc-exec/

ChildFundPhilippines (2024, November 4). X (Formerly Twitter). https://x.com/ChildFundPh/status/1853348178499867116

UNICEF East Asia and the Pacific Regional Office, UNFPA Asia and Pacific Regional Office, and UN Women Asia and Pacific Regional Office ( 2024, November)Ending Violence against Women and Children in the Philippines
https://www.unicef.org/eap/reports/ending-violence-against-women-and-children-philippines

United Nations (n.d.) UN Study on Violence Againts Children
https://violenceagainstchildren.un.org/content/un-study-violence-against-children