WHEN children get involved in crime, look for “triggers” in the community and their family to understand why it happens, said an official of the Dept. of Social Welfare and Development.
“Blaming (the minors) should be avoided. What the minors need is a support system. Support from members of the family is equally important to the victim and the accused,” said Emma Patalinghug, DSWD child and youth welfare program specialist.
The recent case of a 9-year-old girl in a remote southern Cebu town who was molested by five boys aged ll to 15 is being handled by the Provincial Women’s Commission under Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale, who said they would meet with parents of the young offenders even as they provide counselling for the girl.
“On the part of the community, there is a Barangay Council for the Protection of Children. We ask, why is this happening in the community and what trigerred this occurrence?” said Patalinghug.
She said these barangay councils should also look into what influenced wayward children in order to avoid another incident.
Under the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act (RA 9344), minors 15-years-old and younger are exempted from criminal liability.
But both children offenders and victims suffer social discrimination and stigma, Patalinghug said.
“They are still exposed to blaming by the their families and the community. This should be avoided.
If the community does not provide a supportive environment for the victim or the accused, pulling out the child and transferring the minor to a safer environment could be done.
Patalinghug is coordinating with counterparts in the town and the provincial office and the PWC in these cases.
“To prevent duplication of work, we will be coordinating with our local counterparts. Part of our role is to capacitate local social workers to handle these types of cases,” said Patalinghug.
“If a temporary shelter is needed, we will refer the child to our facility. That’s the time that we can provide more assistance to the minors,” she said.
Meanwhile, children in the Cordova cybersex phy case who were used by their own parents for an online pornography ring last year will not be allowed to interact with their jailed parents, said Patalinghug.
But during inevitable instances like those mandated by the court, a government social worker must sit with them, she continued.
“As of now the children are still adjusting to the situation that they are not with their family. They are in a temporary home. As much as possible we see to it that their environment is normal, and their right to education not disrupted,” she said.
Prosecution in this case are wrapping up presentation of evidence.
If the parents are found guilty of qualified human trafficking, they face the maximum penalty of recusion perpetua which runs for 20 to 40 years. /Correspondent Jessa J. Agua,