DOJ launches 3-day Justice Summit for children, other vulnerable groups

In commemoration of Children’s Month, the Department of Justice (DOJ) launched Monday a three-day Justice summit that seeks to promote the safety and well-being of children and other vulnerable groups.

According to the DOJ, the summit will include lectures from human rights experts and legal luminaries to promote a participative and inclusive dialogue.

The DOJ said the first day will cover topics such as the state of child rights in the Justice sector, strengthening child-sensitive justice systems, access to justice, and advancing the rights of Filipino children.

“Unfortunately… many Filipino children continue to face the harsh realities of abuse, neglect, exploitation, and discrimination,” Justice office-in-charge Fredderick Vida said during the event.

“These challenges are often hidden as they are afraid to speak up, leaving them without the protection they desperately need,” he added.

Meanwhile, during her talk, Normina Mojica of the Council for the Welfare of Children said there was a decrease in CyberTipline reports from 2.7 million in 2023 to 1.7 million in 2024.

She also said that there was one confirmed case of a “self-generated” child sexual abuse and exploitation material (CSAEM) in the Philippines.

Mojica also said that there is an emerging trend of “sadistic sextortion.”

In an ambush interview, Vida said they are eyeing a whole of government approach to solve the issue.

“‘Yung mga nakagawian natin, baka ito ‘yung panahon, reset tayo. Kaya nga summit eh. Ang konsepto ng summit, umupo tayong lahat. Baka merong hindi nakikita ang gobyerno, baka meron kayong ibang pananaw,” he said.

(Perhaps this is the time to reset our habits. That’s why there’s a summit. The concept of the summit is for all of us to sit down. Maybe there’s something the government doesn’t see; maybe you have a different perspective.)

“Wala may monopolyo kasi dito eh. Walang monopoly of good intentions. And definitely, walang monopoly ng karunungan,” he added.

(There’s no monopoly here. There’s no monopoly of good intentions. And definitely, there’s no monopoly of wisdom.) — Joahna Lei Casilao/RSJ, GMA Integrated News