PERCEPTION TO THE LOWERING AGE OF CRIMINAL RESPONSIBILITY

OF MINORS BY THE PARENTS

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the

Criminological Research 1 (Research Methods with Applied Statistics)

A.Y 2022-2023

CHAPTER 1

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

INTRODUCTION

The Philippines, like any other country is suffering from different kinds of social
issues. One of which is the juvenile delinquency or known as child in conflict with the law
(CICL). Juvenile delinquency refers to criminal act performed by children under the age of
18 and above. While the number of juvenile delinquencies in the Philippines is staggering,
the law protects them from being put on trial as adults. Considering that the state and laws
prioritize the rehabilitation and reintegration of the CICL to the society, criminal syndicates
take grant in using minors as implements and shields to perpetrate crime. Resulting to the
growth of minor related crimes.
According to statistics released by the Philippine National Police from 2012 to 2015, about
60% of juvenile crimes fall under crimes against property. While crime against person during
the same period is 36%. And the last 4% is the violation of special laws, such as RA 9165
(prohibited drugs), Presidential Decree 1866 (illegal possession of firearms) and PD 1602
(illegal gambling).

 The Philippines has already made development in the realization and protection of
children’s rights by enacting the Republic Act No.9344 or otherwise known as the “Juvenile
Justice and Welfare Act of 2006” which covers the different stages involving children at risk
and children in conflict with the law from prevention to rehabilitation and reintegration. It
prohibits the detention of children in jails, raises the age of criminal responsibility to 15 from
9 years of age, and provides for juvenile delinquency prevention programs.

During the campaign election of 2016, President Rodrigo Duterte vowed to clamp
down crime and the minimum age of criminal responsibility. House Bill 8858 is being
proposed which lowers the age of criminal liability from 15 to just 12 years old to correct the
criminal acts of children being covered by the law and to provide justice to the victims. It’s
also a way to prevent the use of minors in committing crimes. So, on January 28, 2019, the
House of Representatives approved on the third and final hearing of a bill that would lower
the criminal responsibility from 15 to 12 years old. If the bill is approved by the Congress,
then the Republic Act no. 9344 which sets the minimum age of criminal responsibility to 15
will be amended.

In this study we would like to know the perception of our respondents (parents)
regarding the lowering of criminal responsibility. We would also like to know if minors
should be put on trial as adults if they are involved in committing crime against person like
rape, attempted rape, murder, attempted murder, and homicide. Juvenile is Conflict with the
Law is a person who at a time of the commission of the offense is below eighteen years of
age or a minor who is alleged to have committed of an offense and has not reached eighteen
years of aged as on the date of the commission of such offense including violations of traffic
laws, rules and regulations, and ordinances of local government units.

Statement of the Problem

 This study aims to know the perception of parents into lowering the age of criminal
responsibility. It also aims to determine the profile of the parents and their perception
whether minors should be put on trial as adults, it aims to know:
1. What is the profile of the respondents in terms of:
1.1. Sex;
1.2. Age; and
1.3. Educational Background?

1.PROFILE OF
RESPONDENTS IN 2. Do you agree in lowering the criminal responsibility of
TERMS OF: minors?
a) Sex 3. Do you agree in lowering the criminal responsibility of
b) Age
minors basing on the severity of the offense commited?
c) Educational
Background Statement of the Null Hypothesis

2.PERCEPTION TO There is no significant relationship between the response of

THE LOWERING OF the respondents of the lowering age of criminal responsibility
CRIMINAL
for juvenile offenders according to their profile variables.
RESPONSIBILITY OF
MINORS

Conceptual Framework

Figure 1.1 Input, Process & Output Model

Process Output

1. FORMAL 1. EVALUATION
INTERVIEW WITH OF THE
QUESTIONAIRES OUTCOME OF
THE STUDY.
2. STATISTICS
ANALYSIS 2. DATA
COLLECTION
OUTPUT
 FEEDBACK

Figure 1 Paradigm of the Study

The researchers used the Input, process and output format to form the conceptual framework.
The first box indicates the input that include the profile of respondents in terms of sex, age,
educational background, family status, highest educational attainment of parents and
perception to the lowering of criminal responsibility of juvenile offenders.

Scope and Delimitation

This study focused on the perception of parents in terms of lowering age of criminal
responsibility of juveniles’ offenders among the constituents of Barangay Bonfal West,

Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya. The researchers will do the quantitative descriptive method

The coverage of the study will focus in selected participants of Barangay Bonfal West,
Bayombong Nueva Vizcaya.

Significance of the Study

 The findings of this study hoped to serve as a basis for future legislation in protecting
children, reducing crimes committed by children.

Parents. May remind them of the significance of parental authority and guidance; to provide
information on the proposed House Bill 8858 of those juveniles committing a crime to lower
the age of criminal responsibility and the importance of their participation.

Children. To inform them of their liabilities when they commit a crime, and the effort of the
state to reform them and the measures taken to achieve the policy which states, “The State
shall defend the right of children to assistance, including proper care and nutrition, and
special protection from all forms of neglect, abuse, cruelty, exploitation and other conditions
prejudicial to their development.”

Legislators. To help them determine the factors that need more attention and requiring
certain measures to protect children.

Future Researchers. To aid them in their research, provide information, and serve as a
guide in attaining the objectives of their study

Definitions of terms (conceptual and operational)

 Juvenile – refers to a person below 18 years of age or those but are unable to fully
take care of themselves from abuse, neglect, cruelty, exploitation or discrimination
because of physical or mental disability or conditions.
 Social (Socialized) - those who become delinquent due to their association with
people in the society to whom they learned deviant values and later become an
aggressive type who recent the authority of anyone who try to control his behavior.
 Delinquent - one who has committed an offense that violated the approved norms of
conduct is guilty of misdeed.
  Family Factor – is one factor that can contribute to the commission of illegal acts of
the child due to lack of family support, broken home, and also lack of parental care
and affection.
 Peer Factor – is one contributor to juvenile in conflict with the law in the essence of
committing crimes due to painful time seeking acceptances to a social group like
gangs.
 School Factor – is one condition in school that contributes to the commission of the
juveniles in different crimes due to unsatisfactory teacher, bad school companions and
codes of morals.
 Community Factor – community is the outside environment of the child; their
neighbors especially can contribute to them due to congested neighborhood and slums
and the disputable morals of the district.
 Crime against Person – refers to a crime which is committed by direct physical
harm or force being applied to another person.
 Crime against honor – refers to a crime which is committed against the good
reputation or good character of a person
 Crime against Property – refers to a crime which is destroy or degrade the personal
property, real property, real property or belongings of a person.
 Crimes against Chastity – a crime committed to degrade the personality of a person.
 Crimes against in Public Morals – refers to a crime which violated the moral and
ethical standards enforced in the society.
 Juveniles in conflict with the law – a person which violated the moral and ethical
standards enforced in the society.
 Preventive Mechanism – is a process to hinder or prevent the juvenile delinquent in
repeating anti-social acts

CHAPTER II
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Related Literature
 Republic Act 9344 which is also known as the Juvenile Justice and Welfare System of
the Philippines is concerned with the rehabilitation, reformation and protection of the
children in conflict with the law and children at risk. It is a system of law that provides child
appropriate proceeding including the aftercare of the said person. The law took effect on
April 28, 2006. According to the United Nations (UN) Children’s Fund an estimated 4,000
children were imprisoned at the end of 2005, most of them charged with minor crimes. Under
the Revised Penal Code (RPC) of the Philippines a human being divided into four parts, the
age of absolute irresponsibility nine (9) year old and below, the age of conditional
responsibility fifteen (15) years old to eighteen years old, the age of full responsibility
eighteen (18) years old to seventy (70) years old and the age of mitigated responsibility
fifteen years old to eighteen years old to seventy years old and below. Luis Reyes states that a
youthful offender who is a minor and over nine years of age but less that eighteen years old at
the time of the commission of the crime, but the law has been amended by the new juvenile
system of the Philippines. The age of criminal responsibility now is fifteen years to eighteen
years of age, but will only be convicted if the child has acted with discernment. It has been
proven that parents have a great impact on the development of the child. Children who do not
feel love and security from the parents will likely to resort into something that would turn
their attention to them. Juvenile delinquents aren’t born delinquents. They are also victims of
their emotional vulnerability. Giehlito Cammayo Dulin, (2018).

Related Studies

According to Bilog (2014), The study aimed to assess the status of implementation of
RA 9433 or Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006 with respect to the various sectors
namely: police; city social welfare and development and family court. It also determines the
problems encountered by the three groups of respondents and test the difference among the
responses of the three groups: to determine the implication of implementation of RA 9344 to
the community as perceived by three groups of respondents and based on the findings to
propose inputs to policy amendments. It was found out that majority of the juvenile offenders
in Batangas City are 15-17 years old, single, males, finished elementary education with crime
of theft committed in 2012 and under the custody of their parents or legal guardians.
Objectives, compliance, evaluation and monitoring as status of RA 9344 were implemented
as a new approach in criminal justice system with juvenile offenders. Each sector experiences
problems in implementing RA 9344 especially when it comes to insufficient knowledge of
the child, and the parents regarding the child’s severity of crime and constitutional rights. The
study found a significant relationship between the status of implementation of RA 9344 and
the problems encountered. Further, there are differences between the responses of the three
groups of respondents. Exemption of youth offenders in criminal responsibility has an impact
on the community since the youth may repeat the crime or they could commit crime that is
more severe than the previous crime committed. Additionally, compliance, evaluation and
monitoring were found to be significantly related to the impact of exemption of youth
offenders in criminal responsibility. Based on the findings, the study identified inputs for
possible amendments of policies that govern RA 9344 towards a more efficient and effective
implementation. These intervention programs such as child management training and
rehabilitative program of continuous education for juvenile offender and provision of
additional facilities to support rehabilitation medium manned by competent staff and
establishment of rehabilitation centers in each province manned by competent staff and
equipped with necessary facilities.

Global Studies
This is a comprehensive, global study of where the minimum age of criminal
responsibility (MACR) is set in the world's jurisdictions and how the point at which MACRs
are set intersects with human rights considerations for children and young people. Annex 2
provides a breakdown for each of 193 countries as to what age is fixed, if it is fixed at all,
whether there are age-related criminal responsibility-specific crimes for children above the
MACR, whether any doli incapax test is applied to child offenders above the MACR age and
if so, for what age range, and what the sources of the MACR is in statute or practice
convention.
Certain general conclusions emerge. First, ‘the academic evidence is not compelling to
recommend one optional [MACR] age for all countries’ (p. 159). Second, the age at which
MACRs are set ‘and the nominal justifications for these age levels, are often less revealing
than what happens in practice’ (p. 157) to children and young people both older and younger
than the MACR.
Young people above the MACR may gain due process legal rights but may, in practice, lack
the competence or support mechanisms to exercise them. Children below the MACR may be
deprived of certain due process safeguards and be the subject of interventions justified on
welfare grounds, but those interventions may bear all the hallmarks of punishment in terms of
their coercive character and their linkage, proportionate or otherwise, with past anti-social
(‘delinquent’) behaviour. Third, the median MACR worldwide is 12/13 and the consensus
among the international human rights bodies (the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child
(CRC), the Human Rights Committee, which monitors the International Covenant on Civil
and Political Rights (ICCPR), the Committee Against Torture, the UN Standard Minimum
Rules for the Administration of Juvenile Justice (commonly known as the Beijing Rules), and
so on) is that a MACR below 12 years is too low. The best available research suggests that
‘the age range 11–13 is critical for developing the abilities necessary for trial participation’
(p. 145). A major American study of 1,400 young people aged 11–24 years drawn from four
US locations found that one-third of children aged 11–13 were generally incompetent to
stand trial (Grisso et al. 2003).
Local Studies

Pointing out that children must be “taught to understand responsibility,” President

Rodrigo Duterte wants the law to be passed. He argues that syndicates are using children in
the drug trade and other criminal activities. The Philippines House of Representatives
approved the reform in January. The Senate is expected to pass it in June. Critics point out,
however, that the law is unnecessary because the number of crimes committed by children
has been in decline. For 2018, police statistics show that children committed 11,321 crimes, a
mere 2.3 % of the total crime volume. Male teenagers were involved in more than 93 % of
these incidents.
Most at risk are boys aged 14 to 17 who have dropped out of school. Many come from poor
families with no stable income. Because they are considered to be more physically able, boys
are forced to leave school and contribute to the family income. Many come from families
marked by domestic violence. Most get arrested for theft in Metro Manila’s densely
populated communities. They typically steal mobile phones, clothes, wallets and bags. Drug-
related offences are often reported too, including the selling and use of prohibited substances.
Child-rights advocates point out that most under-age persons who commit crimes are
themselves victims. Normally they have suffered abuse, exploitation and abandonment. Most
are neglected by dysfunctional families.
Many live-in communities with high levels of crime. The streets become their homes, and
criminal gangs find it easy to recruit them. Risa Hontiveros is one of the few lawmakers who
oppose the reform. She insists that punitive measures are not the best way to keep children
away from crime. The senator proposes implementing an existing law more effectively: the
Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act (JJWA) of 2006. It focuses on rehabilitation and special
treatment for delinquent minors of the age groups 12 to 18. Setting the minimum age of
criminal liability at 15 years, it created a separate justice system for children in conflict with
the law (CICL). Guided by the principles of restorative justice, it spelled out that special
programmers must address the needs of children who are in conflict with the law. It mandated
the establishment of child-caring institutions in the country’s 81 provinces and 33 cities.
Called “Bahay Pagasa” (House of Hope), these facilities are supposed to offer short-term
residential care to CICL who are above 15 but below 18. However, the official records show
that only 63 of 114 Bahay Pagasa houses that should have been established were actually
built. A mere 58 are operating. Most are dirty, overcrowded and lack basic furniture, even
beds. Only five Bahay Pagasa have passed the government’s accreditation standards.
Compounding the problems, most facilities do not have the mandatory number of social
workers. The staff typically lacks training in child care. The institutions offer only limited
facilities for girls. Tricia Oco of the governmental Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council says:
“Children are told to keep quiet the whole day and do nothing.” Senator Hontiveros considers
the JJWA a good law that needs to be implemented properly. Where that was done, good
results have been achieved, she points out. She praises success in Quezon City, Valenzuela
and Malabon. She says: “The number of CICL drops where the law gets efficiently and fully
implemented.”
Lacking funds, many local governments are unable to implement the law, the Senator argues.
She expects problems to increase once the minimum age of criminal responsibility gets
lowered. In the absence of proper housing and rehabilitation facilities, CICL would simply
end up in jails that are meant for adult offenders. Instead of social workers who could serve
as positive role models, hardened criminals await them here. Jails would thus become schools
of crime – and rehabilitation would become ever more elusive. A populist policy that is
supposedly tough on crime is therefore likely to result in yet more crime and despair.
Emmalyn Liwag Kotte (2029).

The following literatures guided the direction of the study. Curfews are built upon the idea
that "restricting the hours when young people may be in public should limit their
opportunities to commit crimes or become victims" (McDowall, 2000, p. 59). With this
underlying motivation, such policies can take various forms, including variations in targeted
age groups, hours of operation, exceptions to the policy, and sanctions for violations (Ruefle
& Reynolds, 2014). A curfew assists in ensuring the safety of the people. When curfew is
implemented, it can be said to be safer during riskier times, especially at night. Additionally,
a person who is authorized or required to go out during the implementation is recommended
not to go to places he or she is not comfortable with. This can prevent them from engaging in
an unwanted situation. It also ensures the safety of people from harm and behaviors such as
drinking liquors, doing drugs, promiscuity, and violence. On days when a person may face
harm and threats, we need to be using curfew as a tool at our disposal. It is essential to ensure
that the curfew is reasonable, manageable, and indeed, that it is appropriate and valid. It is not
to be used as part of an autocratic parenting style but rather as a tool that benefits all family
members. Often negotiation between parent and child will allow for some interesting
discussions. Negotiating a curfew will also allow the child to feel his/her opinion is
considered. Ultimately, the decision needs to be that of the parent. Parents, too, the
negotiation of a "curfew discretion" needs to be considered, where the child is perhaps
participating in something out of the ordinary. There needs to be a giving and take around
curfew times (Pretorius, 2019). Interior and Local Government Secretary Jose Lina Junior.
Has likewise backed the plan to implement the curfew hours for minors in Metro Manila and
the rest of the country, saying the scheme would significantly reduce the incidence of street
crimes. Lina urged City and Municipal Mayors to seriously consider imposing curfew in their
respective localities to prevent criminal elements from playing their illegal activities at night.
In calling on the city and Municipal city mayors outside Metro Manila to impose their
respective curfew hours for minors, Lina said this could be done through an ordinance passed
by their respective local councils.
"There is great wisdom in the imposition of curfew in Metro Manila and nationwide.
This would greatly help the police stop the number of street crimes, but this should be
imposed on minors," Lina said. Preventive enforcement falls under the heading of protection
and involves crime prevention through the noticeable presence of police vehicles and
personnel. Prevention of crimes is the soundness of all criminological philosophy. The use of
a curfew serves the same purpose: to ensure safety and control for the people and those in
authority. 
A curfew assists in ensuring the safety of the people. When curfew is implemented, it
can be said to be safer during riskier times, especially at night. Additionally, a person who is
authorized or required to go out during the implementation is recommended not to go to
places he or she is not comfortable with. This can prevent them from engaging in an
unwanted situation. It also ensures the safety of people from harm and behaviors such as
drinking liquors, doing drugs, promiscuity, and violence. On days when a person may face
harm and threats, we need to be using curfew as a tool at our disposal. It is essential to ensure
that the curfew is reasonable, manageable, and indeed, that it is appropriate and valid. It is not
to be used as part of an autocratic style of parenting but rather as a tool that benefits all
family members. Often negotiation between parent and child will allow for some interesting
discussions. Negotiating a curfew will also allow the child to feel his/her opinion is
considered. Ultimately, the decision needs to be that of the parent. Parents also need to
consider negotiating a "curfew discretion" where the child is perhaps participating in
something out of the ordinary. There needs to be a degree of giving and take around curfew
times (Pretorius, 2019). A dated curfew outcome study examined the effects of a summertime
curfew law in a large Midwestern city. Rates of serious crimes such as rape, robbery,
burglary, etc., committed by juveniles during August were calculated for the four years prior
to the adoption of the summer curfew and compared with rates after the curfew took effect.
The findings suggested that crime rates were reduced during curfew hours (Hunt & Weiner,
2017).  Ruffle and Reynolds (2014) reviewed more than 160 newspaper stories about curfews
during 1993 and part of 1994. They found that the rationale for adopting curfews in most
cities was to reduce juvenile crime and crime victimization. Several cities were reported to
have adopted curfews both as a hedge against the geographical displacement of juvenile
crime to their cities from other areas and as part of a domino effect when surrounding cities
and municipalities passed them. At the time of the survey, three major American cities
(Denver, Phoenix, and Orlando) had adopted city-wide curfews with specific applications to
hot spot high crime areas. 
A curfew is an order specifying a time during which specific regulations apply. It is required
to maintain the peace and order situation of a specific community and lessen victimization
and criminality as most of the subject persons under curfew hours must return to and stay in
their homes. Such an order may be issued by public authorities but also by the head of a
household to those living in a household in order to stay out of trouble, better administration
the time, minimize sleep deprivation and increase focus in school (Hoffard, 2018).
Many cities and towns have a curfew law to prevent teenagers from being out at certain
times, typically spanning the late hours of the night or school hours during the day. Any
teenager caught out after curfew can face a fine or even jail time, depending upon the specific
laws of the town. In the present study, youth crime is a significant and growing problem,
often involving drugs and violence. Imposing youth curfews can help solve these problems,
as they keep young people off the street, and therefore out of trouble, and prevent them from
congregating in the hours of darkness (Kline,2015). When following curfews, teens tend to
stay out of trouble because a criminal activity or high-risk behavior is more likely to occur
later in the evening when parental supervision is absent. Curfews help teens become used to
setting a schedule that they routinely follow and develop critical time management skills that
they will carry out into adulthood. Being able to manage time effectively is helpful in various
situations, including school, work, and personal relationships (Anderson, 2016). Setting
curfews also help teens to be able to sleep at a decent time, which leads to subsequent focus
and wakefulness in school; this could ultimately even lead to better grades (Gomez,
2018). Curfews had been introduced by the government officials as one of the most credible
and effective community-based responses to increasing severe juvenile crimes (Reynolds,
2015). It has been touted as particularly useful in high-crime neighborhoods or communities,
whereas in some areas, curfews had been endorsed primarily as a strategy to limit late-night
activities (Krisberg, Schwartz, Litsky & Austin, 2016). In the article published by Kita
(2017), the advantages and disadvantages of having curfews are well established. According
to him, advantages included 1. Parent's peace of mind; 2. Safety for teenagers; 3. Control of
parents; and 4. Prevention against juvenile delinquency. For disadvantages, it included: 1.
Oppressive parenting; 2. False security; 3. Hindrance to maturity; and 4. Job opportunity
issues. For parents' peace of mind, parents will have fewer worries that their children will
likely get into trouble. Also, they are confident enough to see their children at home and not
out there somewhere late at night.
Likewise, for teenagers' safety, it is pretty risky to leave teenagers driving or hanging
out late. Driving at night should pose great danger compared to traveling during the daytime.
More so, they have kept away from the temptation to use drugs, sexual abuse, and violence
(Kline, 2015). 
Similarly, keeping teenagers in their parents' care while underage enables them to set
boundaries in life under their parents' control. This is one of the reasons why teenagers under
18 are called dependents or minors due to the need for mature people or fully-grown
individuals to look after them (Wilson & Collegues, 2016). 

Furthermore, to prevent juvenile delinquency, once kids are out of their homes late at night,
they will no longer be protected by the family environment. With this, they are more
vulnerable to crimes and other criminal acts. It also mentioned disadvantages, including
oppressive parenting, false security, hindrance to maturity, and job opportunity issues. The
imposition of a curfew on teenagers will disable the ability of kids to get involved in the
management of the home. Although at an early age, they already have their own beliefs,
goals, and opinion that are often overlooked by parents (Kita, 2017). Similarly, when it comes
to false security, sometimes curfews are used as instruments by parents and authorities in
curbing juvenile delinquency. At times, parents-imposed curfews that teenagers should
observe to avoid being punished. For this reason, it can restrict them from asserting, learning,
and negotiating with parents to deal with what the real world can offer. They become less
adaptable and may get culture-shocked if raised under curfew law (Kline,
2015). Furthermore, of job opportunity issues, most teenagers who aim to work during the
graveyard shift are not given the opportunity because of the curfew. It discriminates against
young people to make a living to support their families and themselves. The rule of having a
curfew might be helpful on one end but not on the other. Teenagers are expected to behave as
they are because they are merely kids.
Thus, this tool might not work for all teenagers out there. Child curfews are a form of zero-
tolerance policing, showing that the community will not allow an atmosphere of lawlessness
to develop. Child curfews can help change a negative youth culture in which challenging the
law is seen as desirable and gang membership an aspiration (Casan, 2016).
Curfew laws are community-based attempts to help parents supervise their children. Use
correctly, the enforcement of curfew laws is one of the most dependable, least intrusive
methods to identify and help children from the neglectful and chaotic families that produce
most of the nation's young criminals (Bodenhamer, 2016)Crimes against persons in the
Philippines like Murders, homicide, rape, and inflicting physical injury are among the crimes
against persons categorized as index crimes in the Philippines.

Males
Represent the majority of sexual abusers. According to Smallbone, Marshall and
Wortley (2008), official statistics and victimisation surveys show that men are responsible for
the vast majority of sexual assaults, including child sexual abuse. Similarly, according to
Finkelhor (1984) and Couture and Tessier (2007), 85 to 98% of cases of child sexual abuse
were committed by men. In the study of Abel and Harlow (2001), only 55 offenders are
women on a sample of 4007 perpetrators of child sexual abuse. These results prompt
researchers to use samples composed by men only as there are often not enough women to
make any comparisons. The study made by Abel and Harlow (2001) will be often quoted in
this literature review because of the size of the sample. Smallbone et al. (2008) observed that
the two periods of life when it is most likely to act out are the teenage years (see Section
2.1.3) and the thirties for the adults.

Females
 The sexual abuse of children perpetrated by women are often overlooked or ignored.
It is hard for the society to believe that women are capable of committing such acts for the
society. According to Jennings (1994, quoted by Boroughs, 2004, p.482) "women are seen as
mothers, nurturers, those who provide care to others, not as people who hurt them or abuse
them." This challenges the society's traditional stereotypes. Gender stereotypes feed the myth
that men are solely responsible for sexual abuse. Even when it has been shown that a woman
has had inappropriate sexual gestures towards a child, we tend to believe that it does not
constitute an abuse, but rather excessive or inappropriate expressions of affection (Tardif,
2001, Christiansen & Thyer, 2002). The idealisation of women and of the maternal function
often explains the denial surrounding the notion of sexual abuse towards children committed
by women (Tardif, 2001).
Adolescents
It was not until the early 1980s that the severity of the sexual behaviour of adolescents
towards young children was recognised (Johnson, 1988). The acts committed by adolescents
have been minimised and often described as rather innocent sexual games, experimenst or as
due to normal aggressiveness from the adolescents (Johnson, 1988). However, several studies
have highlighted the fact that these abuses were not always a simple experiment as most
teenagers had already had a sexual experience before they committed their first act.
A study on 67 male adolescents aged 13 to 19 years indicated that the deviant behaviour of
the majority of them was not their first sexual contact (Becker, 12 Cunningham & Kaplan,
1986).

Children
Cases of children who abuse other children are found mainly in the context of intra-
familial sexual abuse (incest), between siblings (brothers-sisters) or among cousins. Several
studies suggest that the prevalence of incest between siblings is higher than what is
commonly thought (Cole, 1982; Smith & Israel, 1987, quoted by Cyr, Wright, McDuff &
Perron, 2002). Incest between siblings with the same parents was estimated to be five times
higher than the parent-child incest (Canavan, Meyer & Higgs, 1992; Finkelhor, 1980, quoted
by Adler & Schutz, 1995). Today, this is the least type of incest the least studied although it
is increasingly recognised as a serious problem (Adler & Schutz, 1995). As noted by O'Brien
(1991, quoted by Cyr & al., 2002), the little information about incest between siblings can be
attributed to the myth that these children simply experience their sexuality and that their
assaultive sexual interactions with younger siblings are “slight variations in the natural
process of sexual development” (O'Brien, 1991, quoted by Cyr & al., 2002, p.958). In fact,
even when the nature of victimisation is obvious, families, professionals and the public tend
to minimize the abusive as well as sexual aspects of this behaviour by calling these incidents
exploration (Ryan, 1999). Like other types of sexual abusers of children, it is difficult or
dangerous to attempt to develop a profile of those children who sexually abuse other children.
However, different studies highlight some of the perpetrators’ characteristics and of their
families where abuse occurs. In a survey conducted by Ryan, Miyoshi, Metzner, Krugman
and Fryer (1996, quoted by Cyr & al., 2002).

Prevention programs oriented towards parents and the community

Programs addressed to parents appear to be more effective than those targeting children,
because for children the words of parents would have more weight than those of teachers for
children (Renk et al., 2002). Nevertheless, parents tend to avoid talking about any subject
relating to sexuality with their kids. According to Renk and al. (2002), if parents learnt to
better bring the topic of sexuality in discussions within their family and then come to talk
openly about sexual abuse cases, children would surely be more comfortable to ask questions
or to talk if something happened to them.

CHAPTER III
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY

This chapter presents the method use by the researchers to answer the specific
problems raised in this study. It includes the research method, source of data, respondent,
data gathering tools, research instrument through a survey questionnaire and statistical
treatment that will be use.

Research Design

This study will use of the descriptive method as the research method of the study. The
survey method will be conducted since the researchers will only use sample population, who
served as the respondents of the study. This method is use to generate data based on the
perceptions and evaluations of the respondents, depending on the type of needed information
covered in the study.

Sources of Data

The primary source of data is the responses of the residences from the residents of
barangays of Bonfal West. Through the use of the questionnaire that will be handed to them.
The secondary sources of data are internet and other printed materials such as journals,
undergraduate thesis, manuals, books and other reading materials that are relevant to the
present study.

Respondent of the study

The respondents are the residents of Barangay Bonfal West. Juveniles are the ones
who are being evaluated in this study so we mainly chose parents from the Barangay of
Bonfal West. Where in the total population of Bonfal West is five thousand seven hundred
and four (5704) out of the total. We will select 200 parents to be our respondents within the
age bracket of 24 to 29, 30 to 34, 35 to 39, 40 to 44, and 45 to 49. The 200 target respondents
will be divided into five (5) so that each age bracket will have a total of 40 respondents.

Slovin’s Formula was employed with 5% margin of error wherein out of the 200
target respondents at least 132 is needed to achieved 95% confidence level.

Research Instrument
 Questionnaire will be used as the main instrument of the study. The researchers will
prepare a questionnaire that will be divided into two parts. The first part of the questionnaire
is the socio-demographic profile of the respondents that includes name(optional), age, sex,
and educational attainment. The second part of the questionnaire will encompass the
respondent’s level of agreement perceived by them regarding our survey questions.
Recommendation and suggestions are also included at the second part of the questionnaire.

Relative to the instrument of the study, the respondents will be asked to assess their
level of agreement by using the five- point Likert scale as follows:

Scale Status Description

Scale Status Description

5 STRONGLY AGREE (SA)

4 AGREE (A)

3 NUETRAL (N)

2 DISAGREE (D)

1 STRONGLY DISAGREE (SD)

In interpreting the overall rating for each area, the descriptive rating that will be used is the
adopted questionnaire of the study. The numerical rating has a corresponding descriptive
analysis.

Scale Status Description

 4.50 and over STRONGLY AGREE

3.50 – 4.49 AGREE

2.50 – 3.49 NUETRAL

1.50 – 2.49 DISAGREE

1.00 – 1.49 STRONGLY DISAGREE

Data Gathering Procedure

For a systematic conduct of study, the researchers will make use of the following
procedures in accomplishing the research work. First, the researchers should secure the
approval of the subject teacher and research adviser to consider the subject or topic as
research proposal. Second, the researchers should conduct preliminary researches to establish
the background of the study. Third, the researchers should prepare and finalize the research
proposal for the proposal defense. Fourth, the researchers will consider an incorporate the
suggestions that will be given by the panel during the proposal defense. Sixth, the researchers
obtain and accomplish necessary communication letters and secured the approval thereof.
Seventh, the researchers should gather data through distribution of questionnaires. Eight, the
researchers will present the result of the survey in tabular form. Next, the researchers will
give the findings, conclusions and recommendations based on the data. And lastly, the
researchers will prepare the papers for the final defense.
Questionnaire
Good Day! We, researchers from PLT COLLEGE INC, are conducting a survey
regarding our study, PERCEPTION TO THE LOWERING AGE OF CRIMINAL
RESPONSIBILITY OF MINORS. It is very much appreciative if you would be able to
answer all the questions below honestly. All personal information that we will acquire from
this survey would remain confidential.

Name (OPTIONAL): __________________________ Sex: Male ___

Age: ____ Female___

Kindly check the box to your matching response.

Ethnicity:
 Ilocano
 Tagalog
 Ifugao
 Others

Educational Background
 Elementary Graduate
 High School Graduate
 College Graduate

Are you aware that the House of representative approved on the third and final hearing of
house bill 8858 that will lower the criminal responsibility from 15 to 12?
 YES
 NO
 Strongl Agree Nuetral Disagre Strongly
y Agree e Disagree
1. Are you in favor to lowering the
criminal responsibility of minors?
2.Do you believe that lowering the age
of criminal responsibility will help
reduce crime in your barangay?
3. Do you agree in lowering the
criminal responsibility of minors
basing on the offense committed?
3.1 Rape

3.2 Murder

3.3 Theft

3.4 Serious physical injury

3.5 Reckless imprudence resulting to

homicide

5. Do you agree that the government’s

strategy to lowering the criminal
responsibility will reduce crime in our
country?
6. Do you agree that lowering the
criminal responsibility will endanger
the children’s lives’?

RECOMMENDATIONS AND SUGGESSTIONS

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