20th National Awareness Week for the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation

Article Source: Mr. Elino L. Bardillo, Public Affairs and Information Office (PAIO) or Ms.
Adelaida Chavezof Policy and Planning Division (PPD)
Contact Details: Telephone No. 7811039 local 1005/1006/2003

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The Council for the Welfare of Children enjoin the nation to be one in combating child abuse.
This is in observance of Presidential Proclamation No. 731 series of 1996 that declares the
2nd week of February of every year as "National Awareness Week for the Prevention of Child
Sexual Abuse and Exploitation" or also known as "Child Sexual Abuse Awareness Week
(CSAAW)". This years’ observance will be on February 8-13, 2016 with the theme “I AM THE
SOLUTION!”. The theme engages every individual to create change in their communities to
make a meaningful impact on sexual violence.
Based on the DSWD child abuse preliminary report as of January 2015, a total of 1,319 or
29% sexually abused and exploited children from 5,526 cases were served by the
Department for CY 2015. For the last three years (2012-2014), sexually abused and exploited
children remains second in rank with the highest number of the different types of child abuse
cases served by the DSWD.
The following activities will strengthen the promotion of the right of the child towards a Child-
Friendly Philippines: A Caring and Protective Society for, by and with the Children.
a) CSAAW Kick-Off Program with Director Pacita Sarino of DSWD – Protective Services
Bureau and Mayor Herbert Bautista on February 8, 2016 at 9:00AM - 4:00PM at the Liwasang
Aurora, Quezon City Circle, Quezon City with target participants of 600 children ages 10 up,
youth, parents and officials from the Quezon City, National Agencies, Non-Government
Organization. The objective is to reach the concerned agencies and the general public on
protecting children from sexual abuse and commercial sexual exploitation. This will be
highlighted with the video campaign about individual and stakeholder/s expression of
commitment and support to end sexual abuse among children and the presentation of the
study entitled “THEY SHAMED ME”: A baseline study on the vulnerabilities of street-involved
boys to sexual exploitation in Manila;
 
 
b) Safer internet Day Campaign c/o Stairway Foundation on February 9, 2016. In support to
CSAAW observance, the Stairway Foundation will integrate CSEC advocacy during the safer
internet day celebration. There will be a simultaneous school caravan on online safety
through their Break the Silence Movement (BSM) in NCR, Silang Cavite, Zamboanga
Sibugay, Cebu, Batangas and Mindoro. Prevention of child abuse and exploitation online will
be one of their topics during the activity; and
 
 
c) Roundtable Discussion on Sexual Exploitation of Children study in the National Capital
Region on February 10, 2016 at the Sequioa Hotel, Timog. Expected to attend are 30 select
participants from SACSEC Members, Service Providers (NGO, LGU, NGA) and Legislators.
Objectives of the RTD are: to present the study on comprehensive understanding of
commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) and the emerging nature, forms and extent
of CSEC of children and adolescents in Metro Manila and present significant highlights and
snapshots on the preliminary results of the research. The study was commissioned by Plan
Philippines to Dr. Elizabeth de Castro of the Psycho -social Support and Children’s Rights
Resource Center (PST CRRC).
 
 
Other CSAAW activities that extend beyond the week-long commemoration included Center
for the Prevention and Treatment of Child Sexual Abuse (CPTCSA) Roundtable Discussion
with the Family Court Judges; Popularization for kids and teens”, Fun and Learning Day with
Children led by ECPAT and TUGON, on February 20, 2016 at the College of Science,
Ampitheater, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City wherein 300 children (7-17
years old) from various communities in Quezon City as participants and Laura Vicuna
Foundation“Follow your dreams” (Against sexual abuse) on February 21, 2016 respectively.