Republic Act No. 7610 AN ACT PROVIDING FOR STRONGER DETERRENCE AND SPECIAL PROTECTION AGAINST CHILD ABUSE, EXPLOITATION AND DISCRIMINATION, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

1. Special Protection of Children
Against Child Abuse, Exploitation
and Discrimination Act (RA 7610)
By: Ma. Juna V. Dieta

2. When do Rights Begin?
• Philippine Constitution, Article II, Sec. 12 - “The State
recognizes the sanctity of family life and shall protect
and strengthen the family as a basic and autonomous
social institution. It shall equally protect the life of
the mother and the life of the unborn from
conception…….”

3. When do Rights Begin ?
• PD 603, Article 3, # 1:
“ A child is endowed with the dignity and worth of a
human being from the moment of conception, as
generally accepted in medical parlance, and is
therefore entitled with the right to be born well”.

4. Who are considered Children?
• Children - persons below 18 years of
age or those over but are unable to to
fully take care of themselves or protect
themselves from abuse, neglect,
cruelty, exploitation or discrimination
because of a physical or mental
disability or condition.

5. What is the Rationale of RA 7610?
To give protection to persons
below 18 years of age or those over
but are unable to fully take care of
themselves or protect themselves
from abuse, cruelty and
exploitation.

6. Offenses Against Children under RA 7610
• 1. Child Prostitution and
other sexual abuse

7. Offenses Against Children under RA 7610
• 2. Attempt to commit child
prostitution

8. Offenses Against Children under RA 7610
• 3. Child Trafficking
• 4. Attempt to commit child
trafficking

9. • 5. Child pornography and
indecent shows and
publication

10. • 6. Other Acts of Neglect, Abuse, Cruelty or
Exploitation and Other Conditions Prejudicial to the
Child’s Development

11. Other Acts of Abuse
• Any person who shall keep or have in his company a
minor, twelve (12) years or under or who is ten (10)
years or more his junior in any public or private place,
hotel, motel, beer joint, discotheque, cabaret, pension
house, sauna or massage parlor, beach and/or other
tourist resort or similar places.

12. Other Acts of Abuse
 Any person who shall use, coerce, force or
intimidate a street child or any other child to:
 beg or use begging as a means of living
 act as conduit or middleman in drug
trafficking or pushing
 conduct any illegal activities

13. Physical Abuse
The inflicting of physical injury upon a
child. This may include, burning,
hitting, punching, shaking, kicking,
beating, or otherwise harming a child.
The parent or caretaker may not have
intended to hurt the child, the injury
is not an accident. It may, however,
been the result of over-discipline or
physical punishment that is
inappropriate to the child’s age.

14. Psychological/Emotional Abuse
• also known as: verbal abuse, mental abuse, and
psychological maltreatment
• Includes acts or the failures to act by parents or
caretakers that have caused or could cause, serious
behavioral, cognitive, emotional, or mental disorders
• Constantly blaming or putting down a child; excessive
yelling, shaming

15. Neglect
• the withdrawal of or failure to provide a child with
the basic necessities for physical growth and
development. This can include inappropriate clothing
for the weather, unhealthy food or no food at all, lack
of supervision, denial of medical care to a sick or
injured child or denial of love and affection.

16. Reporting
• A person who learns of facts or circumstances that
gives rise to the belief that a child has suffered abuse
may report the same, either orally or in writing, to
the Department, Police or any other law
enforcement agency or to the BCPC.

17. Duty of Government Workers to Report
• It shall be the duty of all teachers and administrators
in public schools, probation officers, government
lawyers, law enforcement officers, barangay officials,
corrections officers and other government officials
and employees whose work involves dealing with
children to report all incidents of possible child abuse
to the Department.

18.  Who may file a complaint?
 Offended Party
 Parents or Guardians
 Ascendant or collateral relative within 3rd degree of
consanguinity
 Officer, social worker or representative of a licensed
child-caring institution
 Officer or social worker of the DSWD
 Barangay Chairman, or
 Three (3) concerned, responsible citizens where the
offense was committed

19. Let Us All Help Prevent Child Abuse

20. THANK YOU!!!!