BAGUIO CITY – The City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) is undertaking close coordination to strengthen the Barangay Councils for the Protection of Children (BCPC) in the face of the reported increasing incidence of child abuse and violence against women.

At the same time, the Baguio City government expressed alarm over the CSWDO’s report for the first quarter of 2022.

Liza Bulayongan, officer in charge of the CSWDO, reported that for the first quarter, there were already 34 reported child abuse cases wherein 21 victims were females and 13 males.

Bulayongan said sexual molestation topped the abuses committed against children with 18 followed by nine physical abuse cases, six psychological abuse cases and one neglect.

Last year, the CWDO reported some 95 child abuse cases committed in the various barangays in the city.

Of the abused children last year, 72 were females and 23 were males. They are now in the custody of different shelters.

Sexual abuse still topped the most number of reported child abuse cases during the said period with 48 followed by 34 physical abuse cases, 7 psychological abuse cases – 7 and neglect cases – 6.

For the children in conflict with the law, the CSWDO also recorded 34 cases during the first quarter of this year with theft as the most common crime committed.

From January to December 2021, about 70 children in conflict with the law cases were reported with 45 unfiled and 25 other cases filed against the arrested culprits.

Regarding the status of the child in conflict with the law cases, Bulayongan said that some 42 cases are undergoing intervention, 15 cases undergoing diversion program, six have suspended sentences, five cases are undergoing trial and two cases where suspects were released on cognizance.

Under the youth sector, Bulayongan said that the local youth development council continues to conduct their regular quarterly meetings to discuss pertinent issues and concerns confronting the youth in the city and to formulate the appropriate interventions needed to effectively and efficiently address the problem.

Bulayongan also reported that violence against women and their children (VAWC) cases are also on the rise, prompting the social welfare to closely work with the local government’s partners in bridging the gap on the reporting of the said cases.

Bulayongan said the 29 documented VAWC cases in the different parts of the city is alarming.

She said that in partnership with networks, the CSWDO came up with a unified database for VAWC and even child abuse cases to ensure all cases are well attended and accounted at all levels from the barangay, hospital and police.

Among the initial services provided by the CSWDO to victims of VAWC cases include counselling of both the abused and abuser, temporary shelter for the abused and other assistance that will allow them to be able to hurdle their challenges in their lives and become stronger individuals in facing such difficult situations.

Most of the reported VAWC cases were physical abuse, psychological abuse, economic abuse and sexual abuse, although there are also many cases that are often solved within their level while others undergo the stringent legal processes.