Who’s your 911?: DepEd hotline records hundreds of abused children in 2023

ARTICLE: ROSE ANN CASABUENA | JANUARY 13, 2024.

Students of Aurora Aquino Elementary School actively participate during their first day of classes on August 29, 2023. | via Rose Ann Casabuena

In a world where innocence often collides with vulnerability, children are the most prone to threat. As website delve into the heart-wrenching reality of child abuse, the pressing question emerges: who do these children call for help?

During the National Children's Month cultivation activity in Manila last November 28, Vice President and Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sara Duterte said that more than 1,700 complaints of abused children below the age of 18 have been documented on the agency’s student emergency hotline.

DepEd launched the Learner Rights and Protection Office (LRPO), alongside the Telesafe Contact Center Hotline in November 2022 to combat threats surrounding children and establish their protection, both at school and at home. Amid prevalence of victim-blaming in the education environment, the hotline also addresses issues like backlash and victim shaming.

According to LRPO, their hotline has received 1,709 reports, showing vulnerability of children to certain harms such as verbal and sexual abuses, cyberbullying, and other traumatic experiences.

The gravity of the situation becomes even more apparent while looking at the rise of child abuse cases from 2019 to 2020 with over 1,871 recorded complaints.

In a study conducted by the National Children’s Advocacy Center (NCAC), parents often react with denial, anger, helplessness, and confusion when faced with the harsh reality of their child being a victim. When the little ones face abusive parents, teachers, or strangers, who do they call for help?

In response to this, Duterte emphasizes the need for schools to be an avenue for healthy and safe conversations and environment among the students.

“Teachers and non-teaching personnel should always keep in mind that schools should be healthy, safe spaces,” Duterte stressed in a statement.

She outlined the mechanisms within LRPO, which is also designed to address complaints happening on different academic levels.

The education chief also explained the process of resolving child abuse cases, involving administrative complaints within her agency collaborating with the Philippine National Police (PNP) if a criminal case is warranted.

Safeguarding children’s safety

Despite existing laws aimed at safeguarding children, including Republic Act No. 7610 and Republic Act 11313 or the “Bawal Bastos Law,” child abuse continues to persist in the country.

The 2022 US Department of State report focusing on the Philippines’ human rights practices revealed that the country lacks sufficient children protection despite continuous enforcement of the existing laws.

Inquirer also reported that several students have been utilizing social media to share instances of sexual abuse occurring in various public and private schools, with allegations involving both teachers and school staff.

Thus, DepEd has sought the assistance of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to probe certain reported abuses. The media has also disclosed a list of schools implicated in alleged sexual abuse cases.

Meanwhile, a data from the Women and Children Protection Unit (WCPU) also reported a 72% rate of child abuse reports from 2021 to 2022, which are directly related to sexual assault or abuse.

Such alarming sets of data underscore the urgency to address child abuse in the country not only in the physical platform but also in cyberspaces.

Silent cry for help needs to be heard

According to the same report of the US Department of State, the Philippines is “still far” from providing utmost protection even if several legislations aim to protect the rights of Filipino children.

Australia-based parenting website raisingchildren.net asserts that sexual violence can affect anyone, emphasizing the importance of seeking assistance for the comprehensive well-being, physical, psychological, and social of those who have experienced such trauma.

In a recent statement released on May 5, 2023, Enough is Enough (EIE), an organization of victim-survivors and gender advocates expressed deep disappointment with the current state of Child Protection Units (CPUs) in schools, particularly highlighting the apparent inefficacy of intensified efforts by Vice President and DepEd Secretary Sara Duterte.

The silent cries for help must be heard and action must be taken to ensure a safer world for our children.