Protocol for Case Management of Child Victims of Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Protocol for Case Management of Child Victims of Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Committee for the Special Protection of Children Protocol for Case Management of Child Victims of Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation 1 2 Protocol for Case Management of Child Victims of Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Contents MESSAGES Message from the Secretary of Justice.............................................................................................................5 Message from the Secretary of Social Welfare and Development...............................................................6 Acknowledgment...............................................................................................................................................7 CSPC Committee Resolution No. 1................................................................................................................ 8 THE CSPC PROTOCOL Introduction......................................................................................................................................................10 Case Management............................................................................................................................................11 Who May Report and to Whom May One Report a Case of Child Abuse..............................................14 The Mandatory Reporters...............................................................................................................................15 Reception of a Report......................................................................................................................................15 Reporting at the Barangay...............................................................................................................................15 Reporting to and Investigation by Law Enforcement Agency....................................................................17 Complementary Roles of DSWD and the LSWDO....................................................................................19 Intake Interview and Assessment by Social Worker...................................................................................20 Rescue of a Child Victim................................................................................................................................22 Protective Custody and Involuntary Commitment....................................................................................23 Medical Evaluation / Medico-Legal Examination......................................................................................26 Joint Interview..................................................................................................................................................27 Multi-disciplinary Case Conference.............................................................................................................29 Inquest / Preliminary Investigation...............................................................................................................32 The Role of the Social Worker and the LEO at Inquest or Preliminary Investigation............................34 Trial....................................................................................................................................................................36 Protocol for Case Management of Child Victims of Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation 3 Contents The Role of the Social Worker before and during Trial.............................................................................36 The Role of the LEA during Trial..................................................................................................................37 The Role of the Public Prosecutor before and during Trial.......................................................................37 The Role of the Judge and the Court Staff....................................................................................................39 Healing, Recovery, and Reintegration..........................................................................................................41 ANNEXES Annex A: Sample Interview Sheet.................................................................................................................47 Annex B: Sample Consent Form for Medical Exam...................................................................................49 Annex C: DOJ Circular No. 55......................................................................................................................50 Annex C-1: DOJ Memo No. 87.....................................................................................................................52 Annex D: Guide for Media Practitioners in the Reporting and Coverage of Cases Involving Children........................................................................................................54 Annex E: DOJ Circular No. 70..................................................................................................................... 61 Annex E-1: DOJ Circular No. 77..................................................................................................................63 Annex F: DOJ Circular No. 54......................................................................................................................64 Annex G: Sample application for victim’s compensation or financial assistance...................................65 Annex H: List of NGOs Providing Services to Child Victims of Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation...........................................................................................67 Annex I: Directory of Women and Child Protection Units......................................................................84 Annex J: Republic Act 7610...........................................................................................................................89 Annex K: Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act 7610 on Reporting and Investigation of Child Abuse Cases..........................................................103 Annex L: UN General Comment No. 13 on UN CRC Article No. 19...................................................109 4 Protocol for Case Management of Child Victims of Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Message On June 17, 1992, a special legislation was created to further protect the Filipino children from all forms of abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Since then and because of Republic Act 7610, a lot of changes have taken place. The government and its different branches have issued laws, rules, resolutions, and guidelines championing rights of children. One such child-friendly measure is the creation of the Committee for the Special Protection of Children (CSPC). As the Chairperson of CSPC, the launching of the Protocol on Case Management of Child Victims of Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation is a definite step forward in the expansion of the protective net for our children. Its formulation not only manifests the Aquino administration’s prioritization of children’s issues and needs; it also highlights an ideal consultative and participative process as gleaned from the series of workshops and consultations undertaken with stakeholders. The Protocol is also a platform for partnership. The DOJ continues to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Department of the Interior and Local Government and all its other partner in the advocacy for children. Let us continue to close ranks to ensure no child falls through the cracks of our system. Unquestionably and unconditionally, we want all children, regardless of class, creed, or gender, to achieve their full potential, which is often curtailed and impeded by deficiencies in education, status, or circumstance. More so, we do not wish that our children’s development be derailed by abuse, neglect, and violence. This has been among the advocacies close to my heart, being the former Chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights. While the Case Management Protocol is an undeniable victory, it is only the beginning. Much needs to be done. The illness that is child abuse requires of us the social imagination, legal innovation, and above all, political will, particularly in the development and implementation of standards, institutional mechanisms, investigative and prosecutorial protocols, and a monitoring system that will not allow any child to be invisible. Our multi-disciplinary approach should exude a spirit showcasing the caring hands of the Philippine society at work. In this era of inclusive growth, we consider the prioritization of the children’s welfare as one of the core components of our national growth, that when the Philippines moves forward to economic progress and stability, the children are also afforded the chance for upward mobility. Kahlil Gibran puts it so eloquently, this challenge that is before us: we are the bows from which our children as living arrows are sent forth. In every step of this advocacy, we further strengthen that emblematic bow, so that in our collective effort to do right by our children, we set them off to a future that is promising, bright, and meaningful. Congratulations to all those who labored and worked earnestly in the formulation of the Protocol! Mabuhay ang batang Pilipino! LEILA M. DE LIMA Chairperson, Committee for the Special Protection of Children Secretary, Department of Justice Protocol for Case Management of Child Victims of Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation