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CWC Child Protection Policy
CWC Child Protection Policy
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Introduction
The CWC is the lead inter-agency body for children, mandated to formulate and evaluate
policies, coordinate and monitor the implementation & enforcement of all laws and programs
for children by virtue of P.D. 603. The inter-agency nature of the Council is upheld in RA
8980 where it also acts as the NECCDCC. The NECCDCC shall institutionalize a National
System for Early Childhood Care and Development that is comprehensive, integrative and
sustainable and will involve multi-sectoral and interagency collaboration at the national,
provincial, city/ municipal, and barangay levels.
As the countrys highest policy making agency for children, CWC adopted the framework of
Building a Protective and Caring Environment for Children, as elucidated in the
Comprehensive Program on Child Protection 2006 to 2010.
As stated in the Comprehensive Program on Child Protection, a protective and caring
environment for children must permeate all societal levels and institutional settings (eg.
family, school, etc.). The elements of a protective and caring environment for children,
includes, among others, the government national and local is truly committed to child
protection; and all those who interact with children know how to recognize and respond to
abuse, exploitation and violence.
It is in this context that the CWC developed this Child Protection Policy. This policy and
guidelines will enable all CWC staff to take all reasonable precautions to prevent any harm to
children and will also prepare them to deal with any incident that might occur while they are
working or dealing directly with children.
A. Objectives
The CWC Child Protection Policy aims to guarantee at all times the protection and safety
of children involved in any activity initiated and/or supported by CWC.
Specifically:
1. Increase awareness on child rights, specifically protection from abuse and
exploitation, and how it can be prevented in the CWC context; and
2. Ensure receptiveness in action to support and protect children from abusive acts.
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Coverage of Policy
This policy covers the following:
A. Staff
All employees of the Council, regardless of status of service, are expected to observe the
policy. This covers CWC staff stationed at the Manila Office and all contract of service
staff at the region whose services are paid for by the Council.
B. Structures
National and regional structures of the Council shall observe the child protection
guidelines, whenever they participate in all activities of this Council (inter-agency).
Structures include all national committees and subcommittees, the Technical
Management Group, and all regional committees/sub-committees for the welfare of
children. Ad hoc committees/ groups organized by the Council are also covered by this
policy.
C. etworks
All agencies that the Council would enter into an agreement, including but not limited to,
for research, workshop, and appraisal purposes; and other partners outside the structures,
such as visitors, observers, researchers, etc.
III.
Definition of terms
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 him/herself fully because of a physical or mental disability or
condition or of protecting him/herself from abuse. (IRR, RA 7610)
B. Child abuse
Child Abuse refers to the infliction of physical or psychological injury, cruelty to, or
neglect, sexual abuse or exploitation of the child. (IRR, RA 7610)
It includes the following:
1. Cruelty refers to any act by word or deed which debases, degrades or demeans the
intrinsic worth and dignity of a child as a human being;
2. Physical injury includes but is not limited to lacerations, fractured bones, burns,
internal injuries, severe injury, or serious bodily harm suffered by a child;
3. Psychological injury means harm to a childs psychological or intellectual
functioning which may be exhibited by severe anxiety, depression, withdrawal or
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eglect means failure to provide, for reasons other than poverty, adequate food,
clothing, shelter, basic education or medical care so as to seriously endanger the
physical, mental, social and emotional growth and development of the child;
Safe place means free from danger which provides an open and honest environment
that protects children as well as the people working for children.
Safe Spaces are one of the key programmatic interventions to protect children
during the acute response phase of an emergency or in areas of continuing crisis.
Safe Spaces are initiated through rapid support to communities to provide physical
safety, psychosocial activities and educational assistance for children.
Safe Spaces take many different forms depending upon the emergency. They can
be located under trees, tents, in schools, or any available space. If Safe Spaces are
needed for a longer period of time, more semi-permanent structures are
established. In many cases, Safe Spaces activities eventually transition into formal
schooling, after school recreational activities, early childhood development and
youth programs, and community social events.
The rapid implementation of Safe Spaces provide routines, relationships and an
environment that evidence suggests can mitigate the impact of crisis on children.
Safe Spaces are not psychiatric counseling or group therapy but are focused on
fostering childrens natural resiliency and coping mechanisms that can vary from
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child to child. Save Spaces work with children in constructive ways, drawing on
their own resilience and on the strengths and assets of their communities. Under
the supervision of a caring adult, these Safe Spaces provide children a safe
environment in which they can play, socialize, learn life saving information and
express themselves. By participating in arts and crafts, games, cooperative
learning, team building activities, drama, and structured educational lessons and
sports, children are helped to come to terms with their experiences.
(http://www.savethechildren.org/emergencies/protection/protectioninterventions.html)
D. Child participation
States Parties shall assure to the child who is capable of forming his or her own views the
right to express those views freely in all matters affecting the child, the views of the child
being given due weight in accordance with the age and maturity of the child.
For this purpose, the child shall in particular be provided the opportunity to be heard in
any judicial and administrative proceedings affecting the child, either directly, or through
a representative or an appropriate body, in a manner consistent with the procedural rules
of national law. (U CRC Article 12)
Child Participation, as defined by the children (during the National Childrens Forum, 28
to 30 September 2001), means:
The right to express ones thoughts, opinions and feelings;
Adults seriously listening and considering what the children share, especially on
matters that affect children and their immediate environment;
Children involved in planning, implementation, and evaluation of activities and
programs with adults;
Children organizing themselves; and
Holding dialogues with adults on matters that concern children
E. Child protection
States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to ensure that the child is protected
against all forms of discrimination or punishment on the basis of the status, activities,
expressed opinions, or beliefs of the child's parents, legal guardians, or family members.
(U CRC Article 2)
Child Protection, also means, the protection of children from all forms of abuse, neglect,
cruelty, exploitation or discrimination based mainly on the special protection provisions
of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. (Comprehensive Program on Child
Protection)
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IV.
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Philippine National Strategic Framework for Plan Development for Children (Child 21)
Child 21 guides stakeholders in planning programs and interventions that promote and
safeguard the rights of Filipino children in the 21st century. The framework weaves child
rights (survival, development, protection and participation) with the child's life cycle.
National Plan of Action for Children (Medium Term Plan: 2005-2010)
NPAC further concretize the vision of Child 21 into clear, actionable, and time-bound
plans within a five-year time frame from 2005-2010.
Framework of Action Against the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (FA CSEC)
2000-2004
The FA-CSEC sets out broad program objectives and strategic actions that will serve as guide
to the various stakeholders in promoting child rights and preventing and/or controlling the
growth of commercial sexual exploitation of children.
National Framework for Childrens Participation
This framework elaborated the child participation component of Child 21. The said
framework acknowledges childrens contribution for the development of their
communities, and to programs, projects and policies affecting them. Child participation
promotes self-development; leads to social awareness and responsible acts; upholds
democratic principles and processes; and strengthens resilience and protective systems.
Comprehensive Programme on Child Protection 2006-2010
CPCP is an elaboration of the NPAC Child Protection Component . It espouses vigorous
advocacy and public consciousness-raising, capacity building, alliances building, family
and community participation and empowerment, civil society mobilization and resource
generation towards a broad-based response for the promotion, protection and fulfillment
of the rights of children particularly those needing special protection.
National Framework to End Violence Against Children (VAC)
The Framework is a guide to the development and implementation of appropriate and
effective legislative, policy and programmatic initiatives towards the elimination of all
forms of violence against children in the Philippines.
V.
Code of Conduct
This section refers to the required decorum from CWC staff, structures and networks to be
observed in the different contexts that children are involved in the Council-initiated and
supported activities, such as when responding to child related issues; managing disclosures;
conduct of conferences, workshops, RTDs and other similar activities; chaperoning;
celebration of awareness week; and development of CWC information materials.
It is expected that all CWC staff, structures and networks will observe the following policies
and procedures in dealing with children involved in CWC initiated and supported activities at
all times:
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a. Pre-activity
i. Write letter to the organization the child is affiliated with. In case of
children in school, the letter should be addressed to the principal if it will
only involve a child or children from the same school; or to the
appropriate Schools Superintendent in case of a group of children
coming from different schools.
The letter should state the objective of the activity, expected participation
of the child/children, duration of the activity and include request for the
child/children to be excused from class.
ii. Secure consent form from their parents or guardians. This can be secured
directly by CWC or coursed through the organization the child is
affiliated with.
iii. Prepare master list of child participants and his/her chaperone (if any),
including contact details (landline and mobile numbers of both child and
chaperone).
iv. If activity would require the child to travel from his/her place to the
venue, always get the following details:
(1.) travel or flight details
(2.) contact details (landline and mobile numbers of both the child and
chaperone)
(3.) food preferences or allergies
(4.) religion (especially if there are children invited from Mindanao)
v. Always inform the child and his/her chaperone of the details of the
activity, e.g. Room and transportation arrangements (i.e. if there is any
vehicle to fetch them from the airport).
vi. In making room reservations, always consider the comfort of the
children. Their assigned room should not be overcrowded (i.e. assigning
5 children in a room good for 3 persons only). There should be separate
room assignments for boys and girls. As much as possible, children
should be together with their chaperone.
vii. Selection of facilitators should be based on previous experiences in
handling children and child-related activity/ies. Depending on the type of
activity and the children being invited, the facilitator must also be
equipped in handling disclosures. Orientation on the Councils child
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Pre-activity
i. He/she shall ensure that pertinent documents to the trip are completed;
ii. Should have full knowledge of the activity (objectives, etc) and shall ensure
that parents or the legal guardian/s are also informed;
iii. Should conduct a briefing before the activity and de-briefing immediately after
the activity;
iv. Secure consent from the parents and excuse letter or authorization from the
school;
v. Must always ensure that there is mutual trust for the whole duration while in
contact with the child;
vi. Ensure that the childs food preference, medical condition and other personal
information are properly relayed to the organizers so that these will be taken
into consideration;
b.
c.
Post activity
i. Do not leave the child alone in the airport. Wait for the person who will fetch
the child. Ensure that the CWC staff knows who will fetch the child from the
airport.
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ii. If the child has a connecting trip from abroad to any points here in the
Philippines, ensure that the child and whoever has fetched him/her catches their
flight.
When answering calls relative to child abuse cases, always ask the basic information
(this shall be entered in the report form for the record) such as:
a. name and relationship of the caller to the child
b. address and contact number of the child/ caller, parents / caregiver of the child; and
c. The name / address/ relationship of the alleged perpetrator.
Assure the caller that the informations he/she will provide are confidential.
tell the caller to call again without giving basic response/s.
ever
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On instances that the caller needs further information and/or immediate action (like
when the abuse is on-going), refer the call to any social worker or any competent
staff of this office (designated for this task). If there is no available social worker or
any competent staff in the office to attend the case at that instance, advise the caller
to immediately seek the intervention of the nearest barangay, police and social
worker who has the area jurisdiction of the case. Assure the caller that the case will
be endorsed to the social worker for further intervention and monitoring.
Travel Clearance. On instances where the caller needs information on the DSWD
travel clearance for unaccompanied minors, refer him/her to the Regional Office
concerned depending on the residence of the child. In this concern, it is the task of
the CWC staff to give the contact details of the respective DSWD-Regional Office. It
is only the said Office that is mandated to issue travel clearance.
2. Referral form
The CWC Child Protection Referral Form (please see Attachment A) shall be filled
up by the CWC staff when receiving calls that needs further intervention. The social
worker will use this as a reference in determining further action to the case. The form
requires the following information:
Date & Time of Call:
ame of Caller:
Relationship of caller to the child:
ame of the child:
ature of Call (what assistance is needed):
Address of the child:
Parents / Caregivers of the child:
Alleged Perpetrator & relationship to the child:
Actions Taken:
Received by:
3. Flowchart
Kindly refer to Attachment B for the CWC Child Protection Referral Flowchart.
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D. Managing disclosures
This policy acknowledges that disclosures of child abuse, neglect, cruelty, exploitation
or discrimination may come in different venues such as during data gathering in the
conduct of research, rapid appraisal, and workshops.
1. Research
In gathering data for a research, the methodology may require direct interviews with a
child respondent, and/or focus group discussions (FGDs) with child participants. In
these venues for data collection, the following guidelines shall be observed:1
a. Safety and Security. No child must be harmed and every child must be
protected in the study. During the data collection, it is important that the
researcher obtains a secure space for answering the research instrument/s.
He/She must make certain that no one who could be a possible threat is around
the vicinity. The researcher should ask them politely to leave the premises.
b. Confidentiality. The researcher assures the participants that the completed
research instrument/s will not be seen by anyone except the research team.
(1) only the child will be allowed to see his/her answered research
instrument/s;
(2) the parent or guardian of the child will only be allowed to see the
completed research instrument/s after it has been reviewed by the research
team;
(3) data collectors shall sign an agreement that they will keep the results of the
research instrument/s confidential.
c. Crisis Detection. When an abusive situation for a child/children is discovered
by data collectors, or when a participant confides that he/she is experiencing
abuse, the data collector shall immediately report to concerned authorities and
arrange for an appropriate intervention on the case.
2. Conduct of appraisals
Developing a rapid and accurate assessment of girls and boys protection concerns
informs subsequent effective advocacy and programming. The approaches used for a
child protection assessment are very similar to those used in non-crisis settings (i.e.
group discussions, observation, individual interviews, mapping).2
Assessors should take into account:
a. discrimination, such as gender, age, ethnicity, disability and social status;
b. the fact that children of different ages and phases in their development are
vulnerable and sometimes resilient in specific ways during emergencies; and
1
2
Philippine Womens University, (2007). Research Protocol for the Baseline Research on Violence Against Children in Public Schools
Council for the Welfare of Children, (2007). SC CAACD Emergency Assessment Briefer and Field Visit Guide Checklist
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c. the fact that children also become vulnerable due to being in specific situations
(e.g. child heads of households), after having lived particular experiences (e.g.
sexual or physical abuse), or as a result of past experiences which are compounded
by current events (e.g. children who have suffered multiple displacements or
conflicts).
Every childs development is a concern in emergencies. The increased stresses on and
changes to families and communities can mean that children are subject to neglect - or
the failure to provide for a childs basic needs.
In high profile emergencies, many groups will be on site with the declared aim of
helping children. They will have a range of skills and resources at their disposal - from
significant budgets and trained staff to minimal resources and well-meaning volunteers.
It is important that there is coordination of all the child protection actors, and
agreement on and adherence to standards.
Do no harm. Maintain any indigenous protective elements in boys and girls lives. No
matter how depleted materially or spiritually, family and community members are the
key actors to protect children. It is incumbent on the assessors to adopt the principle of
do no harm. In seeking to fulfill this, the team must:
a. Share a clear purpose of the assessment which they can share with children and
others to avoid confusion and possible misrepresentation.
b. Have a deep sensitivity to the issues that may be raised and how to interact with
children in distress.
c. Ensure that cultural norms are respected and taken into account, especially in
relation to gender and behavior of assessors.
d. Commit to probing only into issues on which they can bring about or influence
change.
e. Make certain that children are not repeatedly interviewed about their experiences.
f.
When an abusive situation for children is discovered or when a child confides that
he/she is experiencing abuse, the team shall immediately report to concerned
authorities and arrange for an appropriate intervention in the case.
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2. However, photos, outputs, and other materials generated from these activities, may
only be used as appropriate by CWC as part of advocacy materials. The use of these
materials should not be permitted by CWC management in cases where these might
endanger the security of the child. Ensure that Guide for Media Practitioners on the
Reporting and Coverage of Cases Involving Children (Revised 2008) is observed.
VI.
VII.
VIII.
Recruitment of Staff
In processing application of newly hired personnel to the Council, the applicants agreement
to the CWC Child Protection Policy should be one of the pre-requisites before finally
accepting him/her to a position. The CWC Child Protection Policy will also be one of the
major concerns to be included in the orientation of the newly hired employees of this
Council.
To ensure that there are competent/trained personnel to deal with complex reports on
child-related issues, the Human Resource Unit of the Council shall ensure that there
should always be at least one technical staff in its roster whose educational background /
profession is on Social Work.
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This Child Protection Policy of the Council for the Welfare of Children is hereby adopted as one
of the legal and binding documents of this Office. Adopted on 31 July 2008.
Signed:
MA.ELEA S. CARABALLO
Deputy Executive Director, CWC Concerns
Conforme:
_______________________________________
Signature over Printed Name of CWC Personnel
Date Signed: ____________________________
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_________________________________________________
Name of Caller:
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
Actions Taken:
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
Date:
_________________________________________________
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No
Staff
determines if
case needs
further
assessment
Give response/advice.
Enter the information about
the case in the Referral form
Yes
Refer the call to any social worker
or any competent staff of this
office (designated for this task)
What
type of
response
is needed
for this
case?
Or
Case Monitoring
- Follow-up with the agency
- provide feedback to the caller