RA 7610: Protection against child

abuse, exploitation and

discrimination
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7610
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR STRONGER DETERRENCE
AND SPECIAL PROTECTION AGAINST CHILD ABUSE,
EXPLOITATION AND DISCRIMINATION, AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES.
Based on the RA 7610 Implementing Rules
and Regulations (IRR), “Child abuse” refers
to the infliction of physical or psychological
injury, cruelty to, or neglect, sexual abuse or
exploitation of a child.
“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.

Discipline administered by a parent or legal

guardian to a child does not constitute
cruelty PROVIDED (emphasis ours) it is
reasonable in manner and moderate in
degree and does not constitute physical or
psychological injury as defined herein.
Physical injury”
“ means harm to a child’s
psychological or intellectual functioning which may
be exhibited by severe anxiety, depression,
withdrawal or outward aggressive behavior, or a
combination of said behaviors, which may be
demonstrated by a change in behavior, emotional
response or cognition.
Under Section 3 of the RA 7610 IRR, a person who
learns of facts of circumstances that give rise to the
belief that a child has suffered abuse MAY REPORT
(emphasis ours) the same, either orally or in writing,
to the Department (refers to DSWD), to the police
or other law enforcement agency or to a Barangay
Council for the Protection of Children or BCPC
“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.

Discipline administered by a parent or legal

guardian to a child does not constitute
cruelty PROVIDED (emphasis ours) it is
reasonable in manner and moderate in
degree and does not constitute physical or
psychological injury as defined herein.
Definition of a Child

- A person who is below 18 years of age

- A person who is above 18 but can not
take care of himself due to certain
circumstance. 
The rights of every Filipino child:
•To be born. To have a name and nationality.
•To be free. To have a family who will take care of me.
•To have a good education.
•To develop my potentials.
•To have enough food, shelter, a healthy and active
body.
•To be given the opportunity for play and leisure.
•To be given protection against abuse, danger and
violence brought by war and conflict.
•To live in a peaceful community.
•To be defended and assisted by the government.
•To be able to express my own views.
Definition In Philippine Law R.A. 7610

The Special Protection of Children Against

Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination
Act or Republic Act 7610 (Art.1 Sec. 3)
defines child abuse as maltreatment, whether
habitual or not.
•A person who is below 18 years old or
those over but are unable to fully take
care of themselves from abuse, neglect,
cruelty, exploitation or discrimination
because of physical or mental disability
or condition.
•By a person who is responsible for the
child's welfare. Under circumstances
which gravely threaten or endanger the
survival and normal development of
children.
Operational Definition
Physical Abuse
Is characterized by physical injury (e.g. bruises
and fractures) resulting from punching, beating,
kicking, biting, or otherwise harming a child.
The injury may have resulted from over
discipline or physical punishment that is
inappropriate to the child's age or condition.
The injury may be the results from over
discipline or physical punishment that is
inappropriate to the child's age or condition.
An injury resulting from physical
punishment that requires
medical treatment is considered
outside the realm of normal
disciplinary measures. 
Neglect

Child neglect is characterized by failure

to provide for the child's basic needs.
Neglect can be physical, educational or
emotional. 
Physical Neglect

Includes refusal of or delay in seeking

health care, abandonment, inadequate
supervision and expulsion from home
or refusing to allow a runaway to return
home.
Educational Neglect

Failure to enroll a child of

mandatory school age and
inattention to a special
educational need. 
Emotional Neglect

Includes such action as chronic or

extreme spouse abuse in the child's
presence, permission of drug abuse
or alcohol use by the child and
refusal or failure to provide needed
psychological care. 
Sexual Abuse

Includes wide range of behavior;

fondling/touching of a child's
genitals, intercourse, rape,
exhibitionism and commercial
exploitation through prostitution or
the production of pornographic
materials
Sexual Exploitation

Children whether male or female, who

for money, profit or any other
consideration or due to the
coercion/pressure or influence of any
adult, syndicate or group, indulge in
sexual intercourse or lascivious conduct,
are deemed to be children exploited in
prostitution and other sexual abuse. 
Emotional abuse

Includes acts or omissions by the

parents or other persons responsible for
the child's care and that have caused or
could cause serious behavioral(social),
cognitive(mental), emotional or mental
disorder. It is the most difficult form of
child maltreatment. 
Child trafficking (RA 9208)
The act of trading or dealing with
children, including but not limited
to, the buying and selling children
for money, or for any other
consideration, or barter. 
Child Labor
The employment of children below
15 years of age who force, suffer to
work for money or any other
consideration.
 
The condition of employment
endangers the life, safety, health and
normal development of the child. 
Abandoned

The failure to provide for the care and

support of a child for at least six (6)
continuous months for no valid reason
shall be presumed as an intent to
abandon the child unless said failure
is due to reasons beyond the control
of the parent or is due to financial
reasons
The failure to report to a law
enforcement agency or to the
Department of Social Welfare and
Development (DSWD) that the
child is missing within seventy-
two (72) hours after his
disappearance is discovered.