Children in Conflict with the Law: Offender or a Victim?

Judith C. Zata,RPm

The Philippine National Police reported in 2019 of January, there are 11,228 juvenile delinquents with physical injury is the crime often committed by these young offenders. Age group of 16 and 17 committed higher number of crimes than those who are under the age of 12 to 15 however this age group is at 32 percent which is to consider high rate when it comes to statistic.

Republic Act No. 9344 or the “Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act” pertains to every child who violated the Philippine law that considered as criminal offenses brought by personal, family, and social circumstances below eighteen (18) years old. Any child that commits an offense is punishable under special laws under Republic Act 10630 called “Status Offenses.”

In Angeles City we have the center for rehabilitation for these children called “Bahay-Pag-asa, Home for Boys” At present we have 30 boys in the said center. As one of the staff working as Psychometrician in the center, I have the chance to talk, counsel and conduct assessment.

In the Psychometrician’s eye, I have known their unheard situation. I’ve also seen their hidden feelings and cries. In the eyes of many because they’ve committed offenses against the law they’re the pests of our country. They received stereo typing judgment to all.

However, if you look into a deeper sense of their situation, they’re also a victim of their environment. They didn’t choose to be in the position or place they’re into yet they don’t have choice. They’re also the victims of worse decisions of people that surround them.

Children like them somehow need somebody to guide them in the right way they should go. It is where the role of the family comes in. Most of them in the Bahay Pag-asa have family issues and belong to the low economic status.

The government plays an important role as well in the lives of these so called Children in conflict with the Law. In Angeles City, we have programs on how these children will be reached out in whatever assistance they need whether it is physiological needs, safety needs as long as they’re at the center, psychological needs and up until they’ll be released. There also diversion conducted to them that they need to report from time to time. After care support will be provided until such time that they’ve meet the needed diversion they’ve should do.

As an individual how do you see these children; an offender or victim?

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