DAVAO City has noted a slight increase in rape cases between March 15 to May 31, 2020 as compared to the same period last year.
According to data presented by the Women and Children's Protection Desk of the Davao City Police Office, rape cases in the period of March 15 to May 31, 2020 have increased to 15 from 14 in the same period in 2019.
There was also an increase in the number of victims.
In 2020, rape victims have increased to 18 from 15 in 2019. Most of the victims in the period of March 15 to May 31, 2020 are those ages 25 and below with a majority being in the 12 to 17 years old age group with five victims.
There are two victims who are part of five years old and below age group and three victims who are part of the 6 to 11 years old age group.
Majority of the rape victims were students but the figure this year was lower compared to the previous year. In 2019, 12 students were raped while only nine were recorded in 2020.
The data also show that rape suspects are getting younger compared to the data in previous year.
In 2020, suspects who are 25 and below have increased to seven from only four in 2019. Those who are above the age of 25 have dropped to only eight in 2020 from 10 in 2019.
Most rape cases happened within the victim's residence. Thirteen rape cases happened at either the house or condominium of the victim in 2020 as compared to 11 in 2019.
From March 15 to May 31, six cases involved suspects who are related to the victim or household members. This is lower than the previous year, which had 12 cases that involved household members.
The rest were committed by individuals who are not related to the victims like officemates or a neighbor.
For the rape cases that happened this year, 11 of the suspects have already been arrested, while four remain at large.
Meanwhile, the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) recorded a total of 284 rape cases in the last two years. DCPO said most victims are children as young as five years old.
This had resulted in the partnership of the City Government of Davao and the Department of Education-Davao Region (DepEd-Davao) to launch the Child Protection Policy Modules.
According to Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, who spearheaded the online launching of the modules on Tuesday afternoon, June 23, the modules will help the city in its child protection policy.
"With these child protection policy modules, our children from Grades 1-12 will be armed with appropriate information and awareness, and will learn how to protect themselves from sexual abuse, exploitation, and discrimination," Duterte-Carpio said.
She also said the module is vital as young people are exposed to various online and offline digital dangers.
Meanwhile, the mayor also said that rape victims should not be blamed for their conditions, and she urged others to report to the police.
"Isa pud ni sa atong gusto masulod sa consciouness sa mga bata and victims nga wala sila'y gibuhat nga mali, so dapat sila mureport and mu-speak up sa unsang nahitabo sa ilaha so that we can help them, to assist them kung muabot sa punto nga gikinahanglan mu-file og kaso (This is also one thing we would instill in the consciousness of the children and victims -- it is not their fault and they are never to be blamed for what happened to them. They should report and speak up so that we can help and assist them should they decide to file cases against the perpetrators)," Duterte-Carpio said.
DepEd-Davao Assistant Regional Director Maria Ines Asuncion, meanwhile, said the module will be taught at all levels, both in public and private schools.
Asuncion also said the modules will also be shared with other local governments in the region.