The Manila Times

Jailing the child abusers

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That’s what awaits the child rapists and their supporters and enablers when justice catches up with them. We will continue to see that it does.

Rose is now safe and protected at the Preda children’s home, which is a 45- minute drive away from here in the Preda main office in Olongapo City. She is recovering and growing in self- confidence, and is much stronger than ever before. She had her Emotional Expression Therapy, during which she cried out all the emotional pain she’s suffering and unburdened herself of the stress and hurt that weighed her down. She is now happy, playing and learning every day. A success story for sure.

This is just one of thousands of cases that are pending in the courts. Many perpetrato­rs go unpunished because they hide away when there is an arrest warrant against them.

The record of the Philippine National Police in finding and arresting them is dismal. However, sometimes the suspects come back to the scene of their crime and with a tip- off, Preda social workers can show the arrest warrant and bring the police to where they are and have them arrested. Then the trial can proceed.

We win only about four or five conviction­s a year, although we have about 35 cases against child sexual abusers pending in the courts. The Philippine Constituti­on allows due process of law for them but they can be tried in absentia if they have been arraigned and then fail to appear to answer the charges in court.

However, most of the accused suspects in child abuse cases flee before the arraignmen­t. They must be caught and brought to court and held accountabl­e. Seeking justice is an important part of healing for the victims and survivors of sexual abuse.

There are hundreds of thousands of survivors who have never been able to speak out about being raped and abused, although these days the # MeToo movement is giving a platform for women of all ages to speak out about their terrible experience of being abused or sexually harassed. Children, too, must be encouraged to speak out without fear or intimidati­on.

In the Philippine­s, bringing a criminal charge is not very difficult or expensive. The public prosecutor will fight the case for the abused children and the good dedicated prosecutor­s will get conviction­s.

A German national, Konrad Weber, was put on trial in Gingoog City and with a committed prosecutor and a just judge that could not be bribed, Weber was found guilty of child abuse. He sexually abused several small boys. He received a sentence of life in prison. He is now on trial again for other acts of sexual abuse against other small boys. He allegedly abused them in Butuan City some years ago.

Preda Foundation has helped and supported the boys who are all from very poor families. They, too, told their stories to social workers and justice was done.

Young people need encouragem­ent and support to tell their stories of abuse. When everyone has the ability and courage to speak out and report abuse and support victims, then this scourge of woman and child abuse will be greatly diminished.

The statistics are shocking – one child in every four children worldwide suffers sexual abuse – a reality that we cannot forget or ignore. We must be aware that child sexual abuse is a common practice that cannot be ignored by apathy and indifferen­ce. Caring adults ought to be sensitive and aware that a disturbed child may have a story of abuse to tell and they should listen with sympathy and understand­ing.

Fighting for justice for children and with children is just part of our work, besides helping rescue abused children from human trafficker­s and abusers, and bringing them to justice. In the meantime, the child is protected and safe in the Preda home for girls. Children everywhere need you to be their helper and defender.

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