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Monday, October 27, 2003
Handle sex abuse reports subtlety: NGO to media
* Stresses guiding principle in reporting cases where children are involved should be "for the best interest of the child"
AN OFFICIAL of a non-government organization (NGO) for children's rights said there is an urgent need to stop sensationalized reporting of victimized children, especially sexual abuse cases.
Speaking before a group of media delegates from all over Mindanao at the Grand Regal Hotel in Davao City, Lunduyan Para sa Pagpapalaganap, Pagtataguyod at Pagtatanggol ng Karapatang Pambata deputy director Nelia O. Sevidal said media practitioners should follow certain guidelines on reporting cases of sexual abuse of children.
"All our media coverages and reports should be done in the best interest of the child. Ito dapat ang ating (This should be our) primary and paramount concern, and let us also take into consideration kung anong maging epekto ng publicity sa (the effect of the publicity on the) recovery at (and) rehabilitation ng (of the) victim," Sevidal said.
"Children are born with rights, and any inappropriate and sensationalized publicity of any case involving who are victims of abuse is a violation of the child's rights," she added.
Sevidal enumerated several guidelines which includes:
* Readiness and willingness of the child to be interviewed;
* Provide translations, if necessary; face of the victim must not be shown; do not mention the child's name, address, school, parents' names, sibling's names; do not force the child to relate his/her story; prior to the interview, brief the child (angle of the interview, angle of the camera, questions to ask, questions not to ask); regular pause to check on the child; after the interview, de-brief the child by inform the child when and where it will be shown/heard;
* The child's psychologists/counselor/trusted adult should be present from start to finish; reports must be factual and serious; no judgment should be passed; no degrading shots or photographs should be taken. RCB
(October 27, 2003 issue)
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