A WEEK since its launching last October 28, the Anti-Child Abuse intervention called Kean Gabriel Hotline had already served seven child abuse cases here in the City, an official said.
Quick Response Team for Children Center of the City Social Services and Development Office (QRTCC-CSSDO) Head Juenalyn Pablo said that during their one week operation, they have already rescued seven children and had made several social actions to help those who were rescued. They had also made legal interventions against the parents for their negligence.
Out of the given figure, two were special cases that involved two children who were rescued after a concerned citizen called to report that the kids were being caged in their house while their parents are away to work.
Pablo said that the neighbors of these children were appalled and phoned their office for fear that the kids will be trapped if any untoward incident, such as a fire, will occur.
On Thursday, they have also rescued a seven-year-old kid who was reportedly carrying a knife while his parents were not present. The QRTCC immediately picked out the child and brought him to the center. But the parents of the kid went to their office on the evening to ask for another chance. However, the office has already filed a blotter against the parents and warned them.
Pablo said that the ages of the children they have rescued range from 7 to 12 years old.
“We have received calls which mean that the public is making a move to help victims of abuse,” Pablo said.
She added that all the calls or texts that they are receiving will always have a corresponding action regardless of the credibility of the caller and the information they acquire. Pablo said that their objective is to respond every now and then and make necessary actions.
The farthest areas they have served are from Mandug and Toril.
Based on the cases they are working on so far, there are no physical abuses against any children that were recorded yet but only negligence of the parents towards the children.
According to Pablo, the figure of served cases shows that the government is serious in its campaign to counter child abuses in order to prevent another fatal incident just like what happened to Kean Gabriel Agustin, who died when he succumbed to a head injury after he fell above a cabinet while stuffed in a sack.
There were 25 employees who were recently trained on receiving reports, counseling and therapeutic voice and resiliency, and stress management.
The anti-child abuse hotline is an inter-agency coordination composed of social workers, police officers, health professionals, and paralegals.
The offices involved in the hotline are the Integrated Gender Development Division (IGDD), the City Health Office (CHO), Central 911, the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Children Center of City Social Services and Development Office (CSSDO).
The team is composed of social workers, police officers, health professionals and paralegals.