MANILA — The Department of Justice (DOJ) pledged its support and commitment to stop violence against children.
“It is the duty of the present to ensure that children will realize their fullest potential in building a future where justice and equity will be the norm, where humanity will enjoy freedom from want and freedom of choice,” DOJ Undersecretary Erickson Balmes said in a statement Saturday.
As a clear demonstration of its pledge, the DOJ committed to take certain steps aligned in the policies and programs of Plan of Action to End Violence Against Children (PPEVAC), Philippine Development Plan, and directives of President Rodrigo Duterte to the neglect, abuse or exploitation of children and violence against them.
“The State is mandated to unconditionally provide that environment by respecting, protecting, and fulfilling their human rights guaranteed under the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the 1987 Constitution,” Balmes added.
Continuous partnership with local government units (LGUs) will be ensured in the implementation of child protection and welfare promotion programs.
Acknowledging the meaningful protection of children, a key policy intervention instituted on 2017 regarding the establishment of standards relative to child-friendly public assistance desks, and interview rooms in all prosecution offices within the availability of government and non-government organizations are part of DOJ’s development plan.
Additionally, they will be introducing the use of anatomically correct dolls by all prosecution offices in the preliminary investigation and prosecution of sex-related offenses.
“Together, we shall strive for justice for every child. This requires freedom of children from violence, neglect, abuse, and exploitation of whatever form or shape, size or gravity, and from whatever source.” Balmes noted.
Administered to serve as the prosecution arm of government, the DOJ said that it will not squander but rather build on the gains achieved by the Council on Special Protection of Children. (Christopher Lloyd Caliwan with reports from Shaina N. Nicolas, OJT/PNA)
