Ifugao mentors top child abusers: Social work officer

JOYCE Niwane, Ifugao social work and development officer, admitted most of child abusers in the province are teachers.

Niwane logged 44 physical abuse cases reported from the period of January to June this year; a shocking 80 percent of these were perpetuated by teachers.

Niwane said that out of the total cases, 19 percent were of sexual abuse, 81 percent were from physical abuse statistics and monitoring of these cases showed there were 7 cases filed in courts while 27 cases were not filed and 8 were amicably settled.

She also said the agency is discouraging the amicable settlement of cases. But if parents and elders agree, they cannot interfere compounded by the slow movement of cases when brought to court.

She shared the latest data of the highlands in a recent forum on Child Rights aiming to put into the open the plight of children in the province.

The social worker said causes of child abuse as well as children in conflict with the law (CICL) point to gender biases; broken families; large family size; vices; financial difficulties; lack of parenting skills; absentee parent; anger or lack of self control; lack of knowledge and skills in classroom management; and a culture of violence.

In Ifugao for the year 2009-2011 a total of 118 children were abused; 83 or 70 percent were sexually abused and 35 or 30 percent were physically abused while in 2003 to 2011 a total of 317 children were abused either sexually or physically.

In 2007, reported cases of abuse were highest. Niwane said there are now partnerships with the Department of Education on the conduct of IEC to end Corporal Punishment in the Schools while the Local Council for the Welfare and Protection of Children (at all Levels) as well as the Local Council Against Gender Violence and Trafficking in persons are being activated.