RA 7610 and RA 9344: Child Protection and Juvenile Justice

Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.

A person below eighteen, or a person eighteen or older unable to fully protect themselves because of a qualifying physical or mental disability or condition.

Physical or psychological abuse, neglect, cruelty, sexual abuse, emotional maltreatment, and other acts defined by the statute.

The exploitation of a child in prostitution under the circumstances defined by Section 5.

Sexual intercourse or lascivious conduct with an exploited child under the statutory elements.

Child abuse, cruelty, exploitation, and other conditions prejudicial to a child's development under the section.

The child's welfare and protection must be a primary consideration in relevant decisions.

No. Consent does not automatically negate statutory child-protection offenses.

To establish a juvenile justice and welfare system emphasizing children's rights, accountability, rehabilitation, and reintegration.

Republic Act No. 10630.

A child alleged, accused, or adjudged to have committed an offense under Philippine law.

A child vulnerable to circumstances that may lead to offending, as defined by RA 9344.

A child fifteen years old or below at the time of the offense is exempt from criminal liability.

The child is exempt unless the child acted with discernment.

No. Civil liability may remain under applicable law.

A program addressing the child's conduct and needs through appropriate social, educational, psychological, or community-based measures.

A child-appropriate process resolving responsibility without formal court proceedings when statutory requirements are met.

An individualized set of measures or activities undertaken as part of a lawful diversion process.

An offense punishable by imprisonment of not more than six years, subject to statutory requirements.

To provide a child-caring residential facility for eligible children in conflict with the law under the juvenile justice framework.

A qualifying child's sentence is suspended under the statutory conditions to facilitate rehabilitation and appropriate disposition.

Detention must be a measure of last resort and for the shortest appropriate period.

No. Children must be separated from adult detainees under applicable law.

A process emphasizing accountability, repairing harm, participation, and reintegration rather than punishment alone.

To perform assessments and coordinate interventions, diversion, and other child-protection services within statutory responsibilities.

Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004.

A woman subjected to violence by a person covered by the statute and her child or children, as defined by law.

Marriage, former marriage, sexual or dating relationship, or having a common child, as specified by the statute.

Acts that result in bodily or physical harm.

Sexual acts or conduct prohibited by the statute, including coercive or abusive sexual conduct.

Acts or omissions causing or likely to cause mental or emotional suffering under the statutory definition.

Conduct intended to make a woman financially dependent or deprive her of financial resources under the statutory definition.

A barangay-issued protection order directing the respondent to desist from acts covered by Section 5(a) and 5(b) of RA 9262.

Fifteen days.

A court-issued protection order effective for thirty days under RA 9262.

A court-issued protection order effective until revoked by the court upon proper application.

A court with jurisdiction under the statute.

No. RA 9262 prohibits mediation or conciliation of protection-order applications.

Yes. Violation may be punishable under RA 9262, subject to the type of order and statutory provisions.

Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003.

Republic Act No. 10364 and Republic Act No. 11862.

A prohibited act, an improper means such as coercion or deception, and an exploitative purpose, as defined by law.

No. Trafficking of a child may be established without proving the improper means required in adult trafficking.

Purposes such as sexual exploitation, forced labor, slavery, servitude, or other exploitation defined by statute.

No. Consent does not eliminate liability when the statutory elements are present.

Trafficking committed under an aggravating circumstance specifically enumerated in the anti-trafficking law.

The victim's minority is a statutory qualifying circumstance.

Yes. Crossing an international border is not required.

To coordinate government policies, prevention, protection, prosecution, and anti-trafficking efforts.

Trafficking centers on exploitation; smuggling generally concerns facilitating unlawful border entry for benefit.