CDH COMBATS SEXUAL ABUSE, EXPLOITATION
By: Marlon C. Runas, GPC-CDH | Photos By: GPC-CDH | Date: February 8, 2021
In celebration of the National Awareness Week for the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation, Caba District Hospital (CDH’s) Social Welfare Officer, Mary Ann Halog promotes the prevention, information and awareness on child sexual abuse and exploitation through Information Education Campaign at CDH Outpatient Waiting Area and Inpatient ward on February 8, 2021. The activity aims to create awareness and step up the efforts to respond, protect and prevent the continuing cases of child abuse.
In celebration of the National Awareness for the prevention of child Sexual Abuse and exploitation, Caba District Hospital (CDH) promoted the child sexual abuse and exploitation prevention, information and awareness through Information Education Campaign at CDH Outpatient Waiting Area and Inpatient ward on February 8, 2021.
The said activity was participated in by OPD patients, inpatients and watchers. Social Welfare Officer Mary Ann O. Halog discussed various topics such as the difference between sexual abuse and sexual exploitation; acts of sexual exploitation and abuse; and laws related to it. She also tackled the steps to be done and where to seek for help. She discussed the hospital services and introduced the CDH’s Psychosocial Health Crisis Hotline where they can seek professional help. According to her, patients must be aware of their rights to be able to protect themselves and achieve their goals. “Everyone can do something on their own to stop or eradicate this social problem. Sexual Exploitation and Abuse has no excuse and should not be tolerated,” she added.
Based on the report of the Anti-Money Laundering Council, there was an increase in financial transactions linked to online sexual exploitation among children. According to the report, the agency recorded a total of 27,217 transactions from January to June 2020 or 2.5 times more than the 10,627 reported cases in 2019.
The activity aimed to create awareness and step up the efforts to respond, protect and prevent the continuing cases of child abuse. Presidential Proclamation No. 731 series of 1996 declares the 2nd week of February of every year as the National Week for the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation or also known as the Child Sexual Abuse Awareness Week.
Information Education Campaign is a regular activity of the hospital to create greater awareness, emphasizing that prevention is better than cure and to achieve the mission to be a Healthy La Union and Happy La Union by 2022.
