Rape cases up in Benguet

RAPE cases continue to increase in Benguet, prompting Provincial Social Welfare Development Officer (PSWDO) Juana Banawe to raise her concern.

Banawe said there were 19 rape cases involving a two year old as the youngest and 17 as the oldest in its latest report from January to March this year compared to the 12 recorded in the same period last year.

Of the 19 cases, Banawe said only 11 were filed against the suspects.

She added the 19 rape cases forms part of the 49 child abuse cases reported during the first three months of the year.

Physical abuse came in second with 14 followed by acts of lasciviousness with eight and three cases of incest rape.

The official said she hopes, if not to eradicate, to lessen the number of child abuse, not only rape in the province after seeing its increase.

“Our prayer is there should be none. Imagine if our children are abused, it does not speak good of our society,” cited the PSWDO officer.

She is also pushing to strengthen the Barangay Council for the Protection of Children (BCPC) mandated by law to give intervention programs for the victims of child abuse.

These intervention programs, according to Banere must be beneficial to both the children and parents.

The BCPC, added Banawe, will coordinate with the different social welfare and development units, police offices and other stakeholders to plan for the best program given to the victims.

“It’s a program that will redirect the youth to become productive, depending on the situation and should developmental but not to deprive his right as a child,” said Banawe.

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