The protection of children from sexual abuse, exploitation, and all forms of harm is a paramount moral imperative. The Church teaches that children possess an inherent dignity that demands their protection. We advocate for the strongest possible measures to prevent child abuse, punish offenders, and support survivors.
The Dignity of Children
Jesus Christ placed children at the center of His kingdom: "Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 19:14). The Church teaches that children are created in God's image and possess a dignity that must be respected and protected.
The Gravity of Child Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse of children is a particularly heinous crime because it violates the innocence of the most vulnerable. Research by Finkelhor et al. (2014) demonstrates that childhood sexual abuse is associated with increased rates of depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and other mental health conditions.
Philippine Legal Protections
The Philippines has enacted comprehensive legislation to protect children. Republic Act No. 7610 (1992), the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act, provides criminal penalties for child abuse. Republic Act No. 11930 (2022), the Anti-OSAEC and Anti-CSAEM Act, strengthens protections in the digital age.
Our Commitment
We advocate for the rigorous enforcement of child protection laws, mandatory reporting of suspected abuse, and severe penalties for offenders. We support survivors with compassion and resources for healing. We call on all institutions to maintain the highest standards of safeguarding and accountability.
References
- Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines. (2019). Pastoral guidelines on child protection. CBCP.
- Catholic Church. (1997). Catechism of the Catholic Church (2nd ed.). Libreria Editrice Vaticana.
- Finkelhor, D., Shattuck, A., Turner, H. A., & Hamby, S. L. (2014). The lifetime prevalence of child sexual abuse. Journal of Adolescent Health, 55(3), 329–333.
- Francis. (2019). Vos estis lux mundi. Libreria Editrice Vaticana.
- Republic Act No. 7610. (1992). Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.
- Republic Act No. 9262. (2004). Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004.
- Republic Act No. 9775. (2009). Anti-Child Pornography Act of 2009.
- Republic Act No. 11930. (2022). Anti-OSAEC and Anti-CSAEM Act.