SOME 43 child abuse cases were recorded in the first three months of 2019 in Benguet province, a slight decrease compared to the 45 cases in the same period last year.
Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Juana Bannawe said one child abuse case involves a nine-year old raped by his uncle in the municipality of Tuba and 15 cases of rape perpetrate by their boyfriend, teacher, helper, neighbor and family friend.
PSWDO data on child abuse shows the capital town of La Trinidad have the highest with 21 cases, followed by eight in Tuba, five in Bokod and four in Itogon.
Bannawe said the decrease of child abuse cases in the province can be attributed to the many advocacies, not only of the government but also the private sector.
"It’s not only the government agencies who advocate (against child abuse) but also the non-government organizations, the church and all forms of media including social media," she added.
Among the forms of abuse, rape decreased with 15 compared to the 19 cases last year while four cases of acts of lasciviousness were also recorded in the province.
Physical abuse had the highest number among the forms of child abuse cases with 16, while emotional abuse recorded with seven cases.
An increase of physical abuse cases was observed in La Trinidad with 10 cases recorded in the first three months of 2019 compared to the two cases last year and six cases of emotional abuse this year compared to the zero cases in 2018.
Cases of rape were recorded in La Trinidad with five, four in Bokod and two each in Mankayan and Tuba.
The Benguet social welfare official added age range of the victims is from seven to 16–years–old.
Place of the child abuse cases happens at home with 17 cases, followed by public place at 10, and school and perpetrator's house with five cases.
For the first three months of 2019, one case was amicably settled, 23 were filed, 17 not filed and two were not indicated.
Bannawe added intervention happen on case to case basis with the front liners composed of doctors, presence of women’s desk in the police and social workers present in the municipal and provincial level providing counselling.