Child abuse and the Manila Conference

Child abuse in this country is now a problem staring us in the face. From child labor, to violence against children, to sexual abuse, trafficking, neglect and exploitation, we have them in spades. What is happening and why is it happening and how are we going to solve it involves a plethora of factors that have to be analyzed, addressed and remedied. We have to go the professional, scientific, focused route towards stemming the tide.

Offhand we have a society that values children as pieces of property, chattels that can be used to some advantage for material purposes like income earners  (sam-paguita vendors in the street at night, through luck possibly future politicians, celebrities, millionaires that will take care of us in the luxury we feel we deserve for having them), drawers of water carrying unconscionably heavy loads for their size, age and state of health, domestic helpers deprived of a chance for education, etc. Or for nefarious purposes, to give benefit to whoever exploits them as in cases of trafficking, sexual abuse, dangerous errands (sending children at perilous times such as at night to buy pancit, cigarettes or whatever whim the uncaring adult has). The point is that no matter how young, or how vulnerable, children are made to serve adults, relatives, and by extension whoever else the former designate. In fact, the most dangerous adults for children are their own relatives or the friends of their relatives in the case of sexual abuse. In the case of violence, again their relatives. In the case of refugee, homeless or displaced-status children, the activities of their own adults, actively or passively, as in tribal wars, civil strife, political violence.

We have to take this matter of abuse of our children seriously and take the pains to study and do something to reverse the deteriorating situation. A society cannot thrive or progress, cannot be respected or respect itself if a substantial number of its children are persecuted and made short shrift of in its daily life.

The Child Protection Network Foundation, a nongovernment organization, set up in the 80s for the protection of children is one such entity here that confronts the child abuse problem with professional treatment and rehabilitation of abused children in our midst. It has an admirable track record in its handling of cases in state-of-the-art fashion all the way to assisting in the conviction of perpetrators. In a few weeks, December 2 to 4, it will manage the Manila Conference with the theme, The Emotional Health of Your Child at the SMX Convention Center. Plenary lectures of what is emotional abuse and how it affects the development of a child, how common is the problem, how everyone should be aware and helpful on solving it, will be given. Among the issues addressed will be the impact of media images on children (television can become a form of emotional abuse and neglect), as well as violence in the home and community and how it can affect a child adversely. After the plenary lectures, there will be nine simultaneous symposia on current problems ranging from cyber violence, challenges of children of OFW families, pornography, natural disasters impact on children, all focused on protecting the child. Post- conference for those who need further information and tools for dealing with children’s problems there will be four (4) workshops on anger management, positive parenting of children with difficult behavior, understanding a teenage child and teaching children to deal with bullying in school (unfortunately, a serious problem lately). Experts with academic backgrounds, experience and most of all, long-time caring for children will be the lecturers and resource persons in these workshops.

It would do well for those who care for children, teach school, are parents or guardians, law personnel and medical workers to seize the opportunity offered by the Child Protection Network Manila Conference. Local government officials are specially called upon to recognize and address child abuse in their localities. Street children, for example, are only the tip of the child abuse iceberg which if not dismantled will bring more havoc and misery in the future.

Check the webiste www.childprotectionnetwork.org for complete details. We all have to accept that we can be part of the solution if we make the effort to involve ourselves. –Ma. Isabel Ongpin, Manila Times

miongpin@yahoo.com