A PRIMER ON REPUBLIC ACT NO.
7610 (ANTI-CHILD
ABUSE LAW)
Notes for Grade 1-3 (1st Page) and Grade 4-6 (All Page)
Who is a CHILD?
Child refers to a person below eighteen (18) years of age or one over said age and
who, upon evaluation of a qualified physician, psychologist or psychiatrist is found
to be incapable of taking care of himself fully because of a physical or mental
disability or condition or of protecting himself from abuse.
What is CHILD ABUSE?
Child abuse refers to the maltreatment, whether habitual or not, of the child or
simply the infliction of physical or which includes any of the following:
1. Psychological and physical abuse, neglect, cruelty, sexual abuse and emotional
maltreatment;
2. Any act by deeds or words which debases, degrades or demeans the intrinsic
worth and dignity of a child as a human being;
3. Unreasonable deprivation of his basic needs for survival such as food and
shelter;
4. Failure to immediately give medical attention to an injured child resulting in
serious impairment of his growth and development or in his permanent incapacity
or death.
WHAT are the types of CHILD ABUSE?
1. PHYSICAL ABUSE – any act which results in non-accidental and/or
unreasonable infliction of physical injury to a child which includes but is not
limited to lacerations, fractures, burns, strangulation, human bites and similar
acts.
2. PYSCHOLOGICAL ABUSE – any harm to a child’s emotional or intellectual
functioning which includes but is not limited to cursing, belittling, rejecting and
other similar acts.
3. NEGLECT - any unreasonable deprivation of child’s basic needs such as food,
clothing, shelter, education, medical, general care, and supervision by parents,
guardians or custodian.
4. SEXUAL ABUSE – any employment, use, persuasion, inducement, enticement,
or coercion of a child to engage in, or assist person to engage in, sexual
intercourse or lasciviousness conduct or the molestation, prostitution, or incest
with children.
Lasciviousness conduct – any intentional touching, either directly or through
clothing, of the genitalia, anus, groin, breast, inner thigh, or buttocks, or the
introduction of any object into the genitalia, anus or mouth, of any person,
whether of the same or opposite sex, with an intent to abuse, humiliate, harass,
degrade, or arouse or gratify the sexual desire of any person, bestiality,
masturbation, lascivious exhibition of the genitals or pubic area of a person.
5. EXPLOITATION – any hiring, employment, persuasion, inducement, or
coercion of a child to perform in obscene exhibitions and indecent shows, whether
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live or in video or film, or to pose or act as a model in obscene or pornographic
materials, or to sell or distribute said materials.
WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF CHILD ABUSE?
Child abuse adversely affects the normal, physical and psychological growth and
development of the child. It may vary depending on the kind and degree of abuse.
1. Physical Effects:
Malnutrition, sexually-transmitted diseases, AIDS, unwanted pregnancy,
permanent disabilities, drug-addiction and death.
2. Psychological and Social Effects:
Withdrawal syndrome, learning disabilities, extreme depression, sense of
alienation, suicidal/self-destructive tendencies, emotional breakdown, aggressive
behavior, low self-image, relationship problems, rejection, fear, confusion, distrust
to others, truancy, and running away from home.
HOW DO YOU IDENTIFY A SUSPECTED VICTIM OF CHILD ABUSE?
1. Physical
Unexplained, unusual and periodic bodily injuries, bruises, burns, human bite
Marks, abrasions, lacerations, contusions, blade marks and weight loss.
2. Psychological
Extreme fear, confusion, anxiety, anger, depression, shock, withdrawal,
aggressiveness, blank stares, absent-mindedness, stealing, lying, suicidal
tendencies, and regressive behavior.
WHO IS A CHILD ABUSER?
A child abuser is any person regardless of age, sex, race creed or color who
deliberately commits or perpetuates any acts defined as constituting child abuse.
A child abuser is usually a person known or trusted by the child- can be a family
member, a relative, neighbor, friend, teacher, baby-sitter or child care-giver. He or
she may also be a stranger to the child. Study shows that most child abusers have
been victims of child abuse.
WHY DO PARENTS/ADULTS ABUSE CHILDREN?
Parents/adults may abuse children due to ignorance, emotional immaturity,
stresses such as marital or economic problems, a predisposition toward
maltreatment (perhaps as a result of having been abused, molested or neglected
as a child), lack of constructive outlets for tension, anger or aggression, or poor
impulse control. In addition, parents and other adults may abuse children as a
result of mental disturbance, sexual perversion, and those under the influence of
alcohol and prohibited drugs.
WHO MAY FILE A COMPLAINT?
1. Offended party
2. Parent or legal guardian
3. Ascendant or collateral relative of the child
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4. Officer, Social Worker or representative of a licensed-child caring institution
5. Officer or Social Worker of the DSWD
6. Barangay Chairman
7. At least 3 concerned, responsible citizens where the violation occurred.
WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS OF EMPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN BELOW
15 YEARS OLD?
The following are the requirements in employment of children below 15 years old:
1. When the child works directly under sole responsibility of his parents and where
only members of the employer’s family are employed;
2. His employment neither endangers his life safety, health and morals, nor
impairs his normal development; and
3. Parents or legal guardian shall provide the said minor with the prescribed
primary and/or secondary education.
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