THE Inter-Visayas Break the Silence Network (IVBSN) celebrated the 26th National Children’s Month by organizing the Children’s Day in Robinsons Place Bacolod.

The team is led by JanJan Tarosa of the Bakyas Community Development Center. Other team members are Department of Education, Philippine National Police, City of Bacolod, Kalipay Negrense Foundation, Voice of the Free, Christian Advocates for Justice and Development in Negros Inc., Share an Opportunity, Alliance if Children’s Ministry in Negros, Bacolod Child Development Center, Stairway Foundation, Bacolod Cosmopolitan Christian Church, Quidan Kaisahan, and more.

It was attended by children from different schools and organizations. Some joined the on-the-spot poster making contest and the composition contest.

The activity was supported by both government and non-government organizations.

The main advocacy of the group is to stop child sexual abuse and exploitation. It is important to break the silence and to report the abuses.

According to the 2015 National Baseline Study on Violence against Children: three in five children were reported to have experienced any form of physical violence in various settings, three in five children reportedly experienced some form of psychological violence in any setting, and one in five children reportedly suffered from some form of sexual violence in any setting.

The Philippines has made a plan of action to end violence against children. Here are some significant key results areas.

Parents and caregivers practice evidence-based parenting and positive discipline.

Children and adolescent demonstrate personal skills in protecting themselves from violence.

All children have access to appropriate and quality protective services.

Inspector Arlyn Torrendon posted a challenge to the adults on how we can protect the children.