TABUK CITY, Kalinga – In a meeting held on March 28, the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) expressed concern about occurrences of child sexual abuse in the city, emphasizing the importance of implementing appropriate interventions with the victims’ families and identified perpetrators.
Rhonda Vail L. Monong, Social Welfare Officer, stated that seven incidences of child sexual abuse had been recorded in the first quarter of this year.
According to Monong, sexual abuse in female children age 8-15 years, in the form of rape and acts of lascivious, is mostly incest. This indicates that the abusers are the victim’s father, cousin, or uncle.
Handling child sexual abuse cases is a tedious process because it needs a series of counseling sessions and home visits to the child and their family. These interventions help the victim recover from this traumatic experience and restore her functionality.
Another data was released by the CSWD stating there are five reported cases of children being neglected, abandoned, and surrendered to authorities. They are referred to as children in especially difficult circumstances (CEDC).
In 2024, the CSWD identified 30 cases of sexual abuse of children and 25 CEDC. The CSWD handled and managed these situations properly, working with partners such as the Tabuk City Police Station and the City Health Services Office. By Darwin Serion
