19/03/2026
๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐จ๐ซ ๐.๐. ๐๐๐๐
Under R.A. 7610, it is the policy of the State to provide special protection to children from all forms of abu*se, neglect, crue*lty explo*itation and dis*crimination and other conditions, prejudicial their development; provide sanctions for their commission and carry out a program for prevention and deterrence of and crisis intervention in situations of child abu*se, explo*itation and dis*criminatio. The State shall intervene on behalf of the child when the parent, guardian, teacher or person having care or custody of the child fails or is unable to protect the child against abu*se, neglect, crue*lty explo*itation and dis*crimination or when such acts against the child are committed by the said parent, guardian, teacher or person having care and custody of the same.
๐ ๐๐ก๐๐ญ ๐๐จ๐๐ฌ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ฏ๐๐ซ?
RA 7610 protects children (below 18 years old) from:
(a) Child abu*se โ physical, psychological, or se*xual harm
(b) Child exp*loita*tion โ using children for profit, labor, or se*xual purposes
(c) Child dis*crimination โ unfair treatment that har*ms a childโs development
๐ก๐ผ๐๐ฒ: It goes beyond the home. The law applies in schools, workplaces, communities, and even online spaces. Even acts that are not physically violent but cause emotional harm can be punishable under the law.
๐๐ก๐จ ๐ฆ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ ๐ ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ฉ๐ฅ๐๐ข๐ง๐ญ?
Complaints on cases of unlawful acts committed against the children may be filed by the offended party; the parents or guardians; Relatives within 3rd degree of consanguinity; officer, social worker or representative of a licensed child-caring institution; officer or social worker from DSWD; Barangay Chairman; or at least 3 concerned responsible citizens where the violation occurred.
๐๐๐ฃ๐๐ก๐ฉ๐ฎ
RA 7610 imposes heavier penalties because the victim is a child. The law treats offenses against minors with greater severity than ordinary crimes. The penalty may range (depending on the acts committed) from Prisiรณn mayor ((6 years and 1 day to 12 years) to reclusiรณn perpetua (20 years and 1 day to 40 years)
