PSWD reports 18 child abuse cases yearly
LINGAYEN– The province has been recording an average of 18 child abuse cases annually.
Thus was disclosed by through the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) head Emil Samson.
These child abuse cases range from rape including incest, trafficking, and other emotional and physical abuses.
Samson, however, was quick to assure that the number of cases does not translate to the worsening level of child abuse cases.
“It just means that people are now more aware and trust the authorities more, so they are reporting now these cases,” he said in Filipino language.
He added, “Unlike before, incest cases were concealed.”
Incest cases in 2012 were four, two in 2013, and one so far this year, said Samson.
He said that what is quite alarming about these cases is the fact that victims are 10 years old and below.
Samson also noted that most incest cases were committed in rural areas under essentially similar situations, i.e., daughters are left alone with the male members of the family, father, son, grandfather.
The PSWDO chief said the provincial government has a facility called Pangasinan Crisis Intervention Center at the Lingayen District Hospital compound, that serves as a “halfway house” for child abuse victims
The said center with licensed social workers assist to complainants until the PSWDO finds the right institution to handle the child abuse cases.
“We don’t encourage amicable settlement kase karapatan ng mga bata mabigyan ng hustisya,” remarked Samson. (Johanne R. Macob)
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