DSWD reminds parents on role in fight vs abuse

CEBU, Philippines - As the country celebrates Child Sexual Abuse Awareness Week, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Central Visayas stressed anew the vital role of parents, as well as the community in the successful battle against sexual abuse and molestation.

“Parents should be aware of some behavioral symptoms that an abused child display like experiencing depression, poor school performance, anxiety or may exhibit aggressive and self-destructive behavior,” said Grace Yana, DSWD-7 Social Worker Focal on Children.

She said that providing children with proper information about their body and emphasizing that they must not permit others to touch it that would only lead to abuse are very important.

“Sexual abuse often involves more than a single incident and could go on for months and years if not prevented. Teaching young children about the different parts of the body and telling them that no one can touch their bodies if they don’t want possible abuse to happen,” Yana explained.

For his part, Dr. Eduardo Bacaltos of the Department of Education (DepEd-7), said that lessons on sex education are already integrated into the country’s basic education curriculum.

“Teaching children the exact name of genitals at an early age is better than telling them about the birds and flowers,” Bacaltos said.

He said that modules on sex education are integrated into subjects like Science and Araling Panlipunan and designed to raise student awareness on the importance of protecting one’s self and taking the right decision over consequences of not being taught the right way.

Further, Senior Police Inspector Marylou Cuizon of the Philippine National Police (PRO-7) said that parents should teach children to be safe and responsible online.

“Kids should avoid posting and e-mailing personal information like photos, birth dates and addresses to strangers who would lure them with money and other material things,” Cuizon said.

The Child Sexual Abuse Awareness Week is pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 731 series of 1996 and the celebration is done every second week of February.

This year’s theme is “Proteksyon ng Bata ...Tungkulin ng Bawat Isa” which stresses that child abuse would be mitigated if all sectors of society are aware and vigilant on how to protect children’s rights. —/ATO (FREEMAN)