DSWD: Passage of law raising age of sexual consent a breakthrough in child protection

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Tuesday lauded the passage of the law raising the age of sexual consent from 12 to 16 years old, saying that it is a “milestone law to ensure child protection and development.”

In a statement, the DSWD said the law provides engagement of public and private institutions in education, training, and care of children, ensuring that their curriculum for staff development includes responsibilities in identifying, responding to and reporting rape and other sexual offenses.

“The active and concrete engagement of all stakeholders in the prevention of abuses and the overall protection of children has been a priority advocacy of the department.  Having all sectors in society involved creates a wider and stronger advocacy platform for the development of the child,” the DSWD said.

The department also called other government agencies to work together in strengthening protection and care for children.

“The children’s sector is one of the most vulnerable in our society, which the DSWD is mandated to serve.  The department hopes that all government agencies and stakeholders will further work together towards the care and protection of children and monitor the implementation of milestone laws,” it added.

President Rodrigo Duterte signed into law the bill defining the crime of statutory rape and raising the age of sexual consent from 12 to 16 years old.

Under Republic Act 11648, there will be no criminal liability on the part of a person having carnal knowledge of another person under 16 when the age difference between the parties is not more than three years and the sexual act in question is proven to be “consensual, non-abusive, and non-exploitative.”

It also indicated that children, whether male or female, are deemed to be exploited in prostitution and other sexual abuse if they indulge in sexual intercourse or lascivious conduct for money, profit, or any other consideration or due to coercion or influence of any adult, syndicate, or group. — BM, GMA News