LA TRINIDAD, Benguet — The Regional Committee on Anti-Trafficking, Anti-Child Pornography and Violence Against Women and their Children (RCAT-ACP-VAWC) has piloted its information drive against child pornography, human trafficking, and violence against women and their children in the region.
“The advocacy on the safe use of internet for children and orientation on child-related laws is a call to action to promote better and safer internet use for everyone in line with Proclamation 417 or Safer Internet Day for Children Philippines,” Bernardo Cadaon Jr., member of the committee’s secretariat, said Tuesday.
He said the project piloted in this valley town aims to engage public and private schools for a wider dissemination on the better use of social media.
The topics include observing proper “netiquettes” and how to prevent becoming a victim of cyber-related crimes.
“We are targeting the whole region for our information drive, as of now we have started with 155 students from Benguet National High School (BNHS), and Cordillera National High school,” he said.
Cadaon said the information drive is a long-term activity to make sure that every child is reached and educated on the safe use of internet and resiliency from any form of abuse.
Meanwhile, the Saint Louis University Sunflower Child and Youth Wellness Center (SLU-SCYWC) is urging the youth to stand up against child abuse and report it to the authorities.
“SLU-SCYWC aims to provide psychotherapy for children with special concerns or difficulties; provide psychological assessment for children-clients, conduct capability-building lectures, training, seminars; and serve the community as a center for advocacy on the rights of children,” center advocacy program coordinator Renee Taguibos said in an interview.
To date, the center serves 352 clients comprising 276 children, 55 adults, and 21 other clients receiving regular consultations. The clients are from Baguio City; Asipulo, Ifugao; Sabangan, Mountain Province; and the towns of Buguias, La Trinidad, Tuba, Kapangan, Sablan, and Itogon in Benguet.
Taguibos said in most cases of abuse, children cannot speak for themselves due to fear and shame.
She said everyone is susceptible to abuse and sometimes it happens just around the corner or at home.
“Even perpetrators themselves have been victims of child abuse,” Taguibos added.
Recognizing abuse, she said, may be especially difficult for someone who has lived with it for many years.
“Growing up in a family where there is violence or abuse can make a person think that (it) is the right way or the only way for family members to treat each other,” Taguibos said.
She said a person who has lived in an environment of abusive relationship has the possibility of understanding that hitting, beating, and pushing are perfectly normal ways to treat someone, especially when the perpetrator is angry.
Abuse comes in different types – physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional or psychological abuse, verbal abuse, neglect and child abandonment.
“There is no single reason why people abuse others. But some factors seem to make it more likely that someone may lose control, yell, hit, or hurt or become neglectful. It can be growing up in an abusive family, inability to manage their feelings properly, drinking too much, and/or drug use can make it difficult for some people to control their actions,” Taguibos said.
She also said poverty usually plays a role in neglect and abandonment, which oftentimes leads to abuse, and certain types of personality disorders or mental illness.
“If you happen to know someone who is a victim of any kind of abuse, please do stand up and report it,” she said.
She said there are some visible signs to detect abuse such as tantrums; frequent injuries or unexplained bruises; injuries appear to have a pattern, such as marks from a hand or belt; and victim wears inappropriate clothing to cover up injuries, such as wearing long-sleeved shirts even on hot days.
Taguibos said abuse affects every aspect of the life of the victims, especially the victim’s self-esteem.
She added that teens who are abused often have trouble sleeping, eating, and concentrating.
They may not do well at school because they are angry or frightened, or feel like they just do not care anymore.
She also attributed abuse as a significant cause of depression among young people.
“Some teens can only feel better by doing things that could hurt them, like cutting or abusing drugs or alcohol. They might even attempt suicide,” she said.** Pamela Mariz Geminiano/ PNA
