FR. SHAY CULLENĀ
THEY ARE the brave, they are the strong, they are the empowered children that, at very young ages, some just six years old, stand up to their rapists and abusers, and with courage, bravely recount to the court of justice the wicked, sinful and criminal acts done to them.
The sexual abuse of children is as common as drinking coffee but the public does not know that there are thousands of abusers seeking out children every day. No child is ever totally safe. Anyone could be an abuser. Child abuse is a secret hidden crime done with threats, intimidation and pressure on the child never to tell anyone or else something bad will happen to them or their siblings or relatives. The rapist will instill fear in the child with threats and he or she controls the child with fear ensuring silence.
With the passing of a new law setting the age of consent at 16 years old, any sexual act with a minor 16 years and below will be statutory rape carrying a life sentence. Children just need a friend they can trust that they can tell. Convictions are becoming more common in the Olongapo City regional trial family court.
Millions of child survivors never tell anyone about it especially if it is done by a member of their own family. The most common perpetrator of child sexual abuse is a biological father, step-father or live-in partner of the childās mother. Incest- that horrible word, for a horrific criminal act- is becoming ever more common.
Standing against all this abuse and proposing and campaigning to have new and improved child protection laws and helping the child survivors to heal, testify and get justice is the Preda Foundation.
The Foundation is celebrating its 48th anniversary this week. It is celebrating the dedicated work of the wonderful, committed social workers, therapists and staff and board members of the Preda Foundation. Together with the donors and organizational friends and partners, that makes the extraordinary work possible.
They are saving, empowering and healing abuse victims/survivors and fighting for justice every day for the children and youth that have suffered and survived human rights violations.
The staff have never given up their fight for justice against powerful, well-connected child abusers and despite severe threats and opposition from the association of sex bar owners, human traffickers and corrupt officials over the past years. Over the past 23 or so years, the Preda team has helped abused children to be empowered and to testify and win more than 400 convictions of child traffickers and child rapists. That is an average of 17 convictions a year.
The most recent victories by Preda children were on 14 February. There was great joy when the words of the promulgation were read out, guilty as charged. The convicted step-father had sexually assaulted and made lascivious acts on Anna, 13 years old. He was given a life sentence. Another child abuser, a barangay tanod from Subic town, was also convicted on Feb 14 for rape and lascivious conduct. He, too, was given a life sentence. The judge in her wisdom gave full credence to the clear and direct and unambiguous testimonies of the victims. (To be continued)/PN
