DUMAGUETE CITY -- The Child Protection Unit (CPU) of the City Social Welfare and Development Office expressed concern on Monday over the increase in the number of sexually abused children here.
Roselyn Frejoles, CPU social worker, said the number of sexually-abused children from January to July this year has reached an alarming proportion compared to the same period last year.
For the first six months this year, the number was already 28, compared to 33 for the entire 2018.
The number of barangays with Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) cases also increased from 13 barangays in 2018 to 18 barangays for the first six months this year out of the city’s 30 barangays.
What is more alarming is that five of the suspects are minor offenders, which is perceived to be due to what they have seen in the Internet cafes and the so-called “Piso Nets.”
With the rising incidence of sexually-abused children, the CPU is conducting lectures on the protocol in handling these cases particularly in barangays with reported cases.
CPU statistics show 15 out of the 28 victims are 3-14 years old while 13 victims are 15-17 years old, all females.
The offenders are fathers, a stepfather, relatives, neighbors, and strangers, including a foreigner.
Frejoles has recommended to the city government the hiring of a full-time psychologist to conduct regular psycho-social interventions to CSA victims, their families and the minor offenders. (PNA)
