The prosecution of child abuse cases in the country has tremendously improved after the training program of court personnel funded by the United Kingdom.
An independent party evaluation by the Philippine Judicial Academy (PHILJA) and the Child Protection Unit Network (CPU-NET) commended the UK project.
Dr. Bernadette Madrid of the CPU-NET presented the findings of the study to Chief Justice Reynato Puno.
The training program has caught the attention of the Supreme Court (SC) for its positive impact on enhancing judicial capability to deal with child abuse cases.
British Ambassador Peter Beckingham said the project has made a difference and will continue in terms of increased sensitivity to child victims, improved skills of court personnel and more appropriate judicial proceedings in general.
“The welfare of the child is of utmost importance in exploitation cases in that we all want to minimize the risk of further trauma to child victims,” Beckingham said.
The project aims to increase sensitivity and awareness of child abuse/exploitation cases and improve the handling of child victims during and after judicial proceedings.
The project has resulted in the creation and promotion of six training videos on real case scenarios involving child abuse victims. Modules include child sensitivity in court, talking to a child on the witness stand and the use of videotaped testimony.
Selected judges and staff of family courts in Metro Manila were invited for Competency Enhancement Training (CET) last year.
The training program featured module videos, a variety of small- and large-group learning activities, facilitators from different disciplines handling child abuse cases, and participants as trouble shooters.
Six months after the CET, an impact evaluation was conducted to determine how the general attitudes and practices of CET-trained family court judges and personnel have changed over time.
The study required in-depth observation of actual proceedings involving child exploitation cases, as well as surveys and interviews of court personnel, child abuse victims and parents.