DFA inks resolution protecting children

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has signed a resolution of the Committee on the Special Protection of Children to implement the Protocol for Case Management of Child Victims of Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation.

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Evan Garcia signed the resolution.

The resolution sets standards and guidelines when assisting a child victim, defines the roles and responsibilities of different agencies, improves inter-agency coordination and provides a flowchart of the referral process from the moment a case of child abuse is reported to the healing, recovery and reintegration of the child.

It also pushes for confidentiality of child victims by using aliases and excluding the media in rescue operations.

Created under Executive Order 53, the Committee on the Special Protection of Children is an inter-agency body tasked to coordinate and monitor the investigation and prosecution of cases involving violations of Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.