It wasn't the first time someone called me up. There were strange numbers that I was hesitant answering but I was glad that I bothered. In line with the children's month celebration, I am here to stand for the rights of the child especially during this time of pandemic.
CASE 1: FILED
While having a class at 5AM, I received a direct message from a friend who's living in the USA. She said that her friend wanted to talk to me. I was already alarmed. I just knew the voice of panic, suppressed, and horrified. Then her friend narrated her story to me...
"Being an OFW and a mother of two daughters (one was a special child), who are left in the Philippines, while her "drug addict" husband taking care of them raised a red flag of abuse and sexual harassment. The mother felt helpless and angry upon knowing that her daughter was sexually molested and was asked as audience while the father was masturbating."
Having heard enough, I immediately referred her case to the authorities and to the NGO. It was a non-stop online case conference until we got the necessary details of the perpetrator. The following day, the perpetrator was picked-up by the authorities and was jailed.
CASE 2: FILED
It was Sunday, and with all the good vibes doing the training for Barangay Health Workers and GAD Focal and staff, one of them related an on-going case of a 4-year old girl who was molested by a neighbor.
"Her grand daughter was called up by her guy neighbor to play inside his house. The innocent child did so. It happened several times until one day, child started to say "obscene" words and expressed that her organ was touched by the guy. The grandmother, in great shock, immediately filed a barangay blotter but the case took a month to progress."
We took action calling (earnestly) to the concerned authorities to speed up the case. Heeding our call-to-action, a warrant of arrest is on its way to the perpetrator.
CASE 3: FILED
"What do you want to happen to your grandfather?" this was the question I asked to a 14-year old girl when we were having the case conference. After several minutes of listening to her somewhat "lacking" out-of-fear statement, I couldn't help but ask that one question.
"I want him to be in prison," she answered.
"Are you not going to feel sad, and maybe take back the case when he'll ask for forgiveness?" I interrogated.
Unexpectedly, her tears streamed down her face and she started crying non-stop. I felt her. I felt that night when my ex-fiance (after the abuse), knelt down on me and asked for forgiveness. The child's emotion deeply reflected on me, and I suddenly felt angry inside. Emotions are tricky, so we need to stand firm on the truth (that abuse really happened) and justice.
To wrap-up, her case was filed both in the barangay and in the police station.
Raising Awareness
One of the 4 rights of the child is to be protected. But, how can we protect them if we, ourselves, the family members and the community, are the perpetrators of abuse? How can we make them safe at home when fear, anxiety, and panic are the prevailing feelings a child experience?
We are to nurture and protect them. Every child deserves a decent and safe home. Let us raise this awareness to the next level, and be their protector as we are supposed to be.
Addendum: While visiting my designated barangay, I witnessed 2 more cases of Child Abuse, and that was less than a week.
This are sad stories that children shouldn't even know of in the first time. Instead of being just sad, I'm happy to see people like you fighting for their rights! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteEveryone should be aware that adults especially the family should be the primary protector if the Children's Rights but looks like it goes the opposite. Family members have become the primary perpetrators and abusers of these children.
Deletethis is such a sad but realistic piece, a lot of children have tendencies of being abused, especially if they grow in a family or community of undisciplined people
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, these stories are real. These cases are but the tiniest portions of the reported ones. That is why the family should be the primary caregivers of these children. It is their duties to protect them.
DeleteI hope everyone has a happy childhood where their parents or relatives give protection and care to our young ones. However, this is one of the very sad realities of our children today.
ReplyDeleteI am so sad to know the current situation that the young ones being exposed in abuses. Good to know that you are there to protect their rights and brave enough to fight with them
ReplyDeleteI am so sad to know the current situation that the young ones being exposed in abuses. Good to know that you are there to protect their rights and brave enough to fight with them
ReplyDeleteThis is a sad reality, but it can be change. We must protect our children and strengthen laws that protect children's right and also human rights in general. Child abuse cases are still everywhere and as a society we need to report this kind of violence, so we can save lives ahead. This is a very interesting article to read.
ReplyDeleteIt's heartbreaking that we are still fighting for this in 2020, but I'm happy to know that we and that there are people who are still giving louder voices to issues that needed to be heard. I pray for healing for those children, Anj. They deserve so much better than their circumstances.
ReplyDeleteThis is very sad to hear. Every unit of society from family to institutions whether private or public have societal responsibility to protect every child. There is indeed a need to ramp up awareness. It's great to have devoted people who are doing this job to educate the public.
ReplyDeleteChild abuse news has been rampant nowadays. It is highly advice to provide awareness to everyone which this such cruelty act.
ReplyDelete