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Thursday, June 10, 2004
Child abuse cases on the rise
KORONADAL CITY -- Social welfare officials in South Cotabato have expressed alarm over the growing number of abused children particularly those reportedly forced into prostitution in several areas of the province and neighboring provinces and cities.
Tessie Olarte, child welfare coordinator of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), confirmed that it is "indeed true" that there are existing child prostitutes in South Cotabato.
She failed to cite any figure but cited that there had been documented cases of child trafficking alleged related to prostitution activities in the cities of General Santos, Koronadal and Tacurong for the past years.
"It is sad to note that some of our children are abused and exploited sexually. Some of them between 9-17 years old are already into prostitution," she said.
According to a research conducted by the Center for the Abused Children Inc., most of the young girls who were dragged to prostitution are aged between 14 to 17 years old.
It said at least three of every 10 victims were recruited either through agencies, peers in the streets, neighbors and friends.
The research also pointed out that some of the girls were even recruited with their parent's consent.
Owing to this scenario, the provincial government of South Cotabato and Tambayan Center, a Davao-based child rights organization that works with adolescent street girls, recognized the need to strengthen the linkages and cooperation between various local government units in fighting child trafficking.
With the aim to prevent the recruitment of child prostitutes, the provincial government through the initiative of the PSWDO and in partnership with the Tambayan Center- Center for the Care of Abused Children Inc. recently held a forum on child prostitution and trafficking.
At least 50 participants from the different line agencies, municipal social welfare offices, parents and youth join the forum and committed to help increase awareness against child trafficking and prostitution. Allen V. Estabillo
(June 10, 2004 issue)
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