Sparing the Rod The Problem of Child Abuse

In signing Proclamation No. 1137 and declaring October 2006 to October 2007 as Child Abuse Prevention Year, the Philippine government committed itself in promoting the welfare of children and upholding their rights. At the launching of National Year for the Prevention of Child Abuse last November 6, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo remarked that the threats on the safety of the Filipino child remains endemic, thus, it is imperative that society be reminded of the “important value of protecting the child and preventing abuse.”

In the Philippines, children are the most precious asset every family can take proud of. Data from the National Statistics Office show that there 36.3 million Filipinos who are 19 years old and below, which comprise more than a third of the country’s entire population. Nonetheless, among the various sectors of Philippine society, children are the most vulnerable and susceptible to all forms of abuse. Studies show that more than a million and a half children are estimated to live in the streets, while three and a half million children from 5 to 17; work under conditions that are considered hazardous to their health and safety.(www.childprotection.org.ph)

The data clearly depict the hardships many Filipino children have to endure. It is unfortunate that the family which is primarily the foundation where children can draw love, support and nurturance is itself besieged with many problems. Breakdown in family ties and poor economic conditions oftentimes become the prevailing factors that expose children to all forms of abuse.

Statistics

DSWD statistics confirm an increase in the number of child abuse cases served by the agency from 1998 to 2002. However, the frequency of child abuse and neglect which have sprung up from 2,716 to 10,045 cases in four years are generally regarded as underestimates since they only reflect cases of abuse that were reported and validated. The sudden increase is also viewed as a result of heightened awareness and reporting in the community. The general perception is that the number of cases of abused children reported to agencies is merely the tip of the iceberg, so to speak.

In a recent article written by Tina Arceo-Dumlao and published by the Inquirer, she told of the story of 15-year old Anna Saavedra (not her real name) who recounted to the newspaper the physical and emotional abuses she suffered from the hands of her mother. Just like other children who did not know any better, Anna thought her mother’s abusive behavior was just one of the ways how parents should discipline their children.

In a research on the emotional and physical punishment inflicted on children in Southeast Asia by Save the Children Sweden in 2005, the study disclosed that violence towards children in the home is rampant, and that corporal punishment is applied by parents in the name of discipline and child rearing. The children interviewed explained that punishments can vary from physical assault to verbal abuse. Those interviewed in the Philippines revealed that punishment inflicted physically includes direct assaults like hitting, spanking, whipping, hair pulling and ear twisting while verbal abuse include nagging and shouting. Other kind of punishments were also employed in the form of indirect assaults (hang on a post or a tree), use of substances (putting chilli on the mouth), confinement, threats, verbal attacks, denigration, and non-violent punishment.

The 2003 Annual Report of the UP-PGH Protection Unit also cited that among the various form of maltreatment inflicted on a child physical abuse is the most prevalent, followed by psychological abuse and neglect, with sexual molestation and rape as the least common form of abuse.

Not regarded as individuals

In a society that is highly patriarchal, it goes on to say that it is not only women who have little say on their rights but children as well. It is particularly true in the developing countries, where culturally, children are not regarded as individuals who possess human rights as much as anybody else, but more of a property of their parents or elders. In effect, they become invisible and excluded from receiving and enjoying essential services society provides. The situation of children in many parts of the world, especially in terms of their rights to survival, health, education, protection and participation in society has been for sometime now the concern of the international community. UNICEF reports that “millions of children are denied their right to a formal identity, facing early marriage, or forced into armed combat or dangerous work. As a result, they often have no access to the services they need to survive and develop to their full potential and face exclusion from full participation in society as adults, too.”(www.unicef.org)

In 1989, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) was adopted into law and took effect the following year after it was ratified by member nations (including the Philippines.) The accord affirms and describes the fundamental human rights of all children (all human beings below the age of 18). The CRC is considered the most thorough and well-established international paradigm for children's rights. It provides the framework for the programs of UNICEF, the UN children's agency.

Diverse factors

Diverse factors contribute to exacerbate the plight of children. In a 2005 World Report on Violence against Children by the UN’s Secretary-General, among the many factors cited which have affected children negatively were the changing family patterns and make-up as well as economic pressures on low-income families. The same unstable family conditions have also opened the possibilities of abuse being experienced by children at home. The World Report also took note of the fact that the forms of violence children experience vary according to age and stage of development. “Infants and young children are more likely to be victimized by primary caregivers and other family members because of their dependence on adult caregivers… while older children are more likely to be victimized outside their home and family.” (www.violencestudy.org/)

Research studies on various types of child abuse noted that one out of three Filipino children experience abuse. Save the Children, reports in its website that “millions of children in the Philippines work on farms, in factories, in the mining, quarrying and logging industries, and as domestics or street vendors. The Philippine authorities estimate that the country has over one million street children, some 60,000 of whom are prostituted.”

Poor Economic conditions

Poverty is essentially a major factor in the breakdown of families and other support structures that are important in nurturing an environment conducive in the development of children. Because of the poor economic conditions, many children from indigent families are forced to work in order to bring food onto the table, consequently exposing them to unnecessary danger and exploitation. However, the danger does not only lie outside the home. In some instances, abuse, physical or otherwise can easily happen right at home where the children ought to experience love and nurturance from family members. In its 2005 situational analysis on Filipino Children, the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) points out that “data gathered from health survey indicates 88.6% of adolescents have at one time been abused at home, either sexually or physically.” The same analysis also shows that nearly half of the cases reported to the Department of Social Welfare (DSWD) concerning child abuse are sexual abuse and exploitation.

UN Universal Declaration of Rights of Children

The United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights affirms the right of children to receive special care and assistance from their own families which could afford the natural environment and necessary protection they need. “…The child, for the full and harmonious development of his or her personality, should grow up in a family environment, in an atmosphere of happiness, love and understanding… [And] should be fully prepared to live an individual life in society, and brought up in the spirit of the ideals proclaimed in the Charter of the United Nations, and in particular in the spirit of peace, dignity, tolerance, freedom, equality and solidarity.”

The UN Charter also takes into account the difficult situations children in other parts of the world experience because of traditional practices and cultural values that families hold on to at the expense of their children’s welfare.

Special Protection of Children against Abuse

Republic Act No. 7610, also known as Special Protection of Children against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act defines child abuse as referring to maltreatment of a child, whether such actions are done habitually or not. Maltreatment can include the following: “psychological and physical abuse, neglect, cruelty, sexual abuse and emotional maltreatment; any act by deed or words which debases, degrades or demeans the intrinsic worth and dignity of a child as a human being; unreasonable deprivation of his basic needs for survival, such as food and shelter; or failure to immediately give medical treatment to an injured child resulting in serious impairment of his growth and development or in his permanent incapacity or death.” (Sec. 3, RA # 7610). In summary, the above explanation simply points to four types of child abuse, specifically: psychological/emotional abuse, physical abuse/cruelty, sexual abuse and neglect. “The implementing Rules and Regulations to RA 7610 define some terms within the context of the Philippine law. On the aspect of physical abuse the Rules and Regulations states that ‘discipline administered by a parent or legal guardian to a child does not constitute cruelty provided it is reasonable in manner and moderate in degree and does not constitute physical or psychological injury.’” This explanation is rather ambiguous considering what is deemed reasonable and moderate depend on an “assessment influenced by one’s values, beliefs and own experiences.”

For instance, in the Philippine culture, light corporal punishment like spanking or hitting the backside of an erring child with a belt is seen and normally accepted as a form of discipline. This is especially true among uneducated and low-income families. The existence of RA 7610, however, has emboldened advocacy groups to take the cudgels upon themselves to protect children from the trauma of abuse, physically or otherwise.

Situation Analysis of Filipino Children

A recent analysis on the situation of Filipino children prepared by the Council for the Welfare of Children shows that the children especially in need of the protection of the law are those who engaged in hazardous and exploitative labor; those living in the streets; victims of sexual abuse and commercial exploitation; victims of family violence and neglect; either separated or have lost their parents; children affected by HIV/AIDS; those in conflict with the law; in situation of armed conflict; with various disability; girl children; those belonging in ethnic/cultural communities that may suffer from neglect and discrimination; and Muslim children.

How to address the problem

Obviously, ratifying a law for the protection of children does not necessarily bring an end to the gnawing problem of child abuse, which is considered a silent epidemic in today’s society. Poverty and breakdown of families maybe pinpointed as the basis of the problem, but other factors, like cultural beliefs and lack of education also contribute to aggravate the situation. To address the problem of violence against children necessitates promoting an environment that is conducive to change and to implement measures that will enable parents, teachers and caregivers, as well as law enforcers, to apply positive ways of disciplining children. It has been said time and again that love begets love. And studies have proven that abuse received in childhood eventually results to abusive behavior in adulthood. The time to break the cycle is now. Today’s children are tomorrow’s adults, the country’s future.

The Nativity Story A Journey of Faith

The film is yet to be shown for worldwide viewing, but I was privileged to see an advance screening of the movie at Glorietta, which was sponsored by the Assisi foundation. The film was shown in advance to a selected audience of Bishops, priests, religious and lay people.

The Nativity story is not the typical Christmas story that we are used to see on film or in a play. Yes, it tells the story of Jesus’ birth, a story we all know by heart since we were little kids learning our Catechism classes. However, there is certain freshness in the way the story is retold in this movie.

The film opens with a flashback of the slaughter of the innocents. Herod Antipas who ruled Palestine with an iron hand was greatly disturbed by the news that the long-awaited Messiah who will deliver the Jewish people from oppression, had been born. Wanting to consolidate his hold onto power, Herod ordered the killing of infants, two years and below.

One can feast on the many themes that can be found in the movie. One idea that is very predominant throughout the film is the theme of journeying. For instance, there was the journey of the angel, who at different times and circumstances had appeared first to Mary, then to Joseph. Then there was the journey which Mary undertook to visit her cousin Elizabeth which had brought profound changes in Mary, both spiritually and physically. When Herod ordered a census, Joseph and Mary had to travel to Jerusalem, and afterwards escape to Egypt to elude Herod. The three Wise Men also traveled far and wide to search for the newly-born Messiah. Indeed, the film is replete, not only with this theme of journeying, but of many other ideas and symbolisms that can speak right into the heart of someone who watches the film with an open mind.

As Joseph and Mary journey towards Jerusalem and afterwards to Egypt, they experience hardships, deprivation and hunger. These are realities that most of us encounter as we journey through life. Mary’s fall in the river is one scene which for me speaks so profoundly not merely because of its realism but more of the significance it conveys.

The ideas that can be gleaned from the movie are not new but they affect us in a different way. The varied characters in the film somehow speak to us about ourselves. The attitude of Mary’s friends towards her after they learned of her pregnancy could very well be our own stance when confronted with the same situation. And then, the inner conflict that Joseph had to battle with, upon learning that the virtuous woman he chose to be his wife is pregnant. And Mary, the woman of faith, whose profound trust in God led her to believe. The Magi are also different representations of everyman. Balthazar, is a man used to comfort, hence his wellbeing was his main preoccupation throughout the journey. Gaspar is cynical, one who does not easily believe. Melchor is a man of knowledge. He was sure of what they were seeking. He has faith in his heart.

While filming on location at Matera, in Sassi Italy, (the same location where Mel Gibson shot the film Passion of the Christ), the producers thought of inviting a group of Catholic and Christian journalists to spend a day on the movie set of the Nativity story. Rose Pacatte, FSP, one of the journalists invited to have a first hand experience of witnessing the filming of the movie, had published a film study guide borne out of that experience. She believes this is a kind of movie that will inspire audiences, and will want to see year after year.

Screenwriter Mike Rich took all of eleven months to do research on the Nativity Story. He consulted the works of Jewish scholars, and explored as well the theological and historical works of some prominent Catholic scholars like Raymond Brown, Peter Richardson and John Meier. According to Rich, he drew inspiration from Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ. Not only was he inspired by it, but he also believed that Gibson’s movie made it possible for The Nativity Story to be made since The Passion “opened a new door to Hollywood for religiously themed films.”

Rich, who is not Catholic, explained to Pacatte in an interview that “we live in a time when the month of December has become fast and hectic, full of the pressures of deadlines and shopping. I won’t say we’ve lost sight of the season, but we have little time to ponder what Christmas means. If this film can provide a two-hour window for families to experience this journey of faith and will spark a conversation among them about the faith that Mary, Joseph, and the other characters show, then the film, to me, will be a wonderful success.”

The movie which made its world premier showing in the Vatican last November 26, but set to be shown worldwide on December 1, has drawn a lot of praise from Vatican officials.

Archbishop John Foley, who heads the Social Communications Office of the Vatican, praised the movie, describing it as a dialogue between faith and culture.

“Cinema, a powerful means of communication, once again carries a universal message,” he said.

Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone also had positive words about the film. “It is well done. It re-proposes this event which changed history with realism but also with a sense of great respect of the mystery of the nativity,” he told reporters after seeing the movie.

Keisha Castle-Hughes, an Australian-born actress who became famous in the film Whale Rider, essays the role of Mary, while Oscar Isaac portrays Joseph. Shohreh Agdashloo, an Iranian actress nominated for an Oscar for best supporting actress in the movie House of Sand and Fog, is Elizabeth. Catherine Hardwicke directs. Hardwicke has previously directed Thirteen, and Lords of Dogtown, for which she has received critical acclaim. Screenwriter Mike Rich had written two movies prior to Nativity Story (The Rookie, Finding Forrester). The Nativity Story was filmed partly in Morocco and Italy.

As Advent season starts, the film appropriately sets an ambiance for reflection for both Catholics and Christians to ruminate on the deeper meaning of Christ’s birth.