Child Abuse And Exploitation

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"Child abuse" refers to the maltreatment, whether habitual or not, of the child which includes any of the following: (1) Psychological and physical abuse, neglect, cruelty, sexual abuse and emotional maltreatment; (2) Any act by deeds or words which debases, degrades or demeans the intrinsic worth and dignity of a child as a human being;

(3) Unreasonable deprivation of his basic needs for survival, such as food and shelter; or (4) Failure to immediately give medical treatment to an injured child resulting in serious impairment of his growth and development or in his permanent incapacity or death.

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1. Physical abuse 2. Sexual abuse 3. Emotional abuse 4. Neglect

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Physical Abuse

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Non-accidental physical injury (ranging from minor bruises to severe fractures or death) as a result of punching, beating, kicking, biting, shaking, throwing, stabbing, choking, hitting (with a hand, stick, strap, or other object), burning, or otherwise harming a child, that is inflicted by a parent, caregiver, or other person who has responsibility for the child.2 Such injury is considered abuse regardless of whether the caregiver intended to hurt the child. Physical discipline, such as

s n g i S al

c i s hy

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have unexplained or poorly explained bruises or welts have a number of scars in a regular pattern have bruises in various colours in the shape of an object (cord, rope, belt, buckle, clothes hanger) have human bite marks, visible handprint or finger prints have unexplained burns, such as: cigarette burns

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have unexplained or poorly explained fractures, sprains, dislocations or head injuries have unexplained or poorly explained cuts and scrapes have any injury in a spot on their body that it is not likely to have occurred by accident (e.g. a bruised earlobe, cut behind the knee) have consumed a poisonous, corrosive or non-medical mind altering substance

o i v a h Be

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s n ig

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be defensive about injuries

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have low self esteem

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be frightened by disapproval

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be wary of physical contact with adults

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show fear of parents or other adults

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be nervous when other children cry

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wear clothing that covers their body even when the weather is war

o i v a h Be •

S l ra

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not be able to tolerate physical contact or touch

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has behavioral extremes, such as aggression or withdrawal

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run away

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not be able to make friends

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be reluctant to undress around others

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not show any reaction to physical pain

Sexual Abuse

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Sexual Abuse is the inappropriate exposure or subjection of a child to sexual contact, activity or behavior by a parent or guardian.

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Sex

“non-touching” activities

“sexual touching” activities

obscene phone calls/conversations, indecent exposure or exhibitionism, masturbation in front of a child, deliberate exposure to others engaged in sexual activities, –

exposure to any forms of pornographic material

fondling a child, making a child touch an adult’s genital area, “sexual exploitation” – sexualactivities intercourse –

engaging a child for prostitution using a child in pornography or luring a

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have a sexually transmitted disease

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be pregnant at a very young age

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have genital discharge, infection or bleeding

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have physical trauma or irritations in the anal and gen areas

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have pain when urinating or defecating

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have problems walking or sitting due to genital or ana pain

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express premature or inappropriate curiosity or understanding of sexual

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behavior

display inappropriate or aggressive seductive or sexual behavior with

peers, teachers or

other adults •

use sexually explicit language or make sexually explicit drawings

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masturbate compulsively

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have poor hygiene or bathe excessively

Emotional Abuse

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Emotional abuse is an attack on the child’s selfconcept and self-worth.

It is a pattern of ongoing

behavior by the parent or guardian that seriously interferes with the healthy development or the mental or emotional functioning of the child. Emotional abuse often happens along with other forms of abuse, such as neglect or physical abuse.

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Emotional abuse is the result o

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exposure to family violence in the home;

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rejection;

exposure to chronic alcohol or drug use in the home; the child being ignored or isolated;

threats, humiliation, unrealistic expectations, or inappropriate accusations/criticism;

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corruption (permitting a child to use alcohol or drugs, watch or participate in cruelty to animals, or participate in criminal activities); or

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negative exposure to someone with a mental or emotional condition (including suicidal or homicidal

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Forms of Emotional Abuse •

Belittling

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Coldness

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Corrupting

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Cruelty

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Extreme Inconsistency

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Harassment

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Ignoring

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Inappropriate Control

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Isolating

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Rejecting

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Terrorizing

Neglect

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Neglect is failing to provide age appropriate basic care

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food,

clothing,

shelter,

love

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affection, medical and dental care, education, and protection from harm. If the parent or guardian cannot or will not provide these things to a child, it is neglect.

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have medical or dental problems that will not go

away because the

parent does not take the

child for treatment, such as infected

sores,

decayed teeth or not having needed glasses •

be underweight or dehydrated

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have poor hygiene

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be emaciated or have a distended stomach

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have clothes that are torn, dirty, do not fit or are not

appropriate for

the season

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demand constant attention

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have parents who are not interested and not

involved •

say that their parents are rarely home to look after

them, have

inadequate supervision, be left

alone or in the care of another child young •

have poor school attendance

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have an obvious lack of energy

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who is too

THE EFFECTS

d l i h C n e f r o d l s i t h c C e f f E e On s u ABUSE IN GENERAL b A Children

suffering

maladaptive,

abuse

anti-social

develop and

a

range

of

self-destructive

behaviors and thoughts by trying to cope with the abuse - by trying to understand the situation and why the abuse is happening.

Effects of Child Abuse

Academic difficulties;

Insomnia;

Agressive behavior;

Learning problems;

Alcohol and/or other drug abuse;

Lying;

Anxiety;

Malnutrition;

Attention problems;

Oppositionality;

Bad dreams;

Panic attacks;

Bed wetting;

Physical symptoms such as

Behavior problems;

headaches and stomach

Chronic pain;

aches;

Compulsive sexual behaviors;

Repeated self-injury;

Concentration problems;

Risky sexual behaviors;

Dangerous behavior such as

Running away; Self neglect;

speeding; Dehydration;

Separation anxiety; Sexual

Depression;

dysfunction;

Dissociative states;

Sleep disorders;

Eating disorders;

Social withdrawal; Stealing;

Failure to thrive;

Stuttering;

Fear or shyness;

Substance abuse;

Fear of certain adults or places;

Suicide attempts;

Frequent injuries;

Thumb-sucking

d l i h C n e f r o d l s i t h c C e f f E e On s u SEXUAL ABUSE Ab The strongest indicators that a child has been sexually abused are inappropriate knowledge about sex, inappropriate sexual interest, and sexual acting out. The effects of abuse result from the abuse itself, from the family's response to the situation, and from the stigmatization that accompanies abuse.

d l i h C n e f r o d l s i t h c C e f f E e On s u Ab • Post-traumatic symptoms

• dissociative symptoms,

• depression

• eating disorders,

• anxiety

• substance abuse,

• Guilt

• prostitution,

• fear

• regressive behaviors

• sexual dysfunction

• runaway behavior

academic and behavior

d l i h s C f t l o u s d t c A e f n Ef se O u b ABUSE IN GENERAL A Compared with people without a history of childhood abuse, adults with a history of childhood abuse are

more likely to have: abuse problem; Insomnia; A partner with a substance Panic; Anxiety disorders; Chronic head, face or pelvic pain; Sexual dysfunction; Substance abuse; Eating disorders; Suicidal ideation or behavio Musculoskeletal complaints; Pseudo-neurologic symptom Depression; Unintended pregnancy; Gastrointestinal distress or symptoms; Self-injury; Asthma or other respiratory ailments; Abuse their own children Obesity, Eating disorders;

d l i h s C f t l o u s d t c A e n f f O E se u SEXUAL ABUSE b A In general, childhood sexual abuse is associated Disturbances sexual interest; with aingreater risk of: Difficulties during sexual contact; Dysfunctions of desire, arousal or orgasm; Seductive behaviors, compulsive activity and prostitution; Precocious sexual behavior; Confusion of sexuality and nurturing behavior; Sexually transmitted diseases; Unintended pregnancy; Eating disorders; Excessive weight gain;

Self-destructive behavior; Alcoholism; Drug abuse; Panic attacks; Insomnia and sleep problems; Relationship problems; Revictimization; Suicide; Self-mutilation; Increased risk for sexually transmitted disease; Identity disturbances; and Involvement in physically abusive

THE LAW

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7610 AN ACT PROVIDING FOR STRONGER DETERRENCE AND SPECIAL PROTECTION AGAINST CHILD ABUSE, EXPLOITATION AND DISCRIMINATION, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

ARTICLE II Program on Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Sec. 4. Formulation of the Program. - There shall be a comprehensive program to be formulated, by the Department of Justice and the Department of Social Welfare and Development in coordination with other government agencies and private sector concerned, within one (1) year from the effectivity of this Act, to protect children against child prostitution and other sexual abuse; child trafficking, obscene publications and indecent shows; other acts of abuse; and circumstances which endanger child survival and normal development.

ARTICLE III Child Prostitution and Other Sexual Abuse Sec. 5. Child Prostitution and Other Sexual Abuse. Children, whether male or female, who for money, profit, or any other consideration or due to the coercion or influence of any adult, syndicate or group, indulge in sexual intercourse or lascivious conduct, are deemed to be children exploited in prostitution and other sexual abuse.

The penalty of reclusion temporal in its medium period to reclusion perpetua shall be imposed upon the following: (a) Those who engage in or promote, facilitate or induce child prostitution which include, but are not limited to, the following: (1) Acting as a procurer of a child prostitute; (2) Inducing a person to be a client of a child prostitute by means of written or oral advertisements or other similar means; (3) Taking advantage of influence or relationship to procure a child as prostitute; (4) Threatening or using violence towards a child to engage him as a prostitute; or (5) Giving monetary consideration goods or other pecuniary

ARTICLE VI Other Acts of Abuse Sec. 10. Other Acts of Neglect, Abuse, Cruelty or Exploitation and Other Conditions Prejudicial to the Child's Development. -

(a) Any person who shall commit any other acts of child abuse, cruelty or exploitation or to be responsible for other conditions prejudicial to the child's development including those covered by Article 59 of Presidential Decree No. 603, as amended, but not covered by the Revised Penal Code, as amended, shall suffer the penalty of prision mayor in its minimum period.

(b) Any person who shall keep or have in his company a minor, twelve (12) years or under or who in ten (10) years or more his junior in any public or private place, hotel, motel, beer joint, discotheque, cabaret, pension house, sauna or massage parlor, beach and/or other tourist resort or similar places shall suffer the penalty of prision mayor in its maximum period and a fine of not less than Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00): Provided, That this provision shall not apply to any person who is related within the fourth degree of consanguinity or affinity or any bond recognized by law, local custom and tradition or acts in the performance of a social, moral or legal duty.

(c) Any person who shall induce, deliver or offer a minor to any one prohibited by this Act to keep or have in his company a minor as provided in the preceding paragraph shall suffer the penalty of prision mayor in its medium period and a fine of not less than Forty thousand pesos (P40,000.00); Provided, however, That should the perpetrator be an ascendant, stepparent or guardian of the minor, the penalty to be imposed shall be prision mayor in its maximum period, a fine of not less than Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00), and the loss of parental authority over the minor.

(d) Any person, owner, manager or one entrusted with the operation of any public or private place of accommodation, whether for occupancy, food, drink or otherwise, including residential places, who allows any person to take along with him to such place or places any minor herein described shall be imposed a penalty of prision mayor in its medium period and a fine of not less than Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00), and the loss of the license to operate such a place or establishment.