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CHR raises alarm over child rape by family members

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MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Human Rights on Tuesday expressed deep concern over the recent spate of sexual violence against children across the country, with family members being the alleged perpetrators in several cases.

The human rights organization said in a statement that the sexual abuse of children across the country amounts to a “serious violation of human rights and underscores the urgent need for strong action to protect our children and ensure justice for the victims.”

The fact that family members are involved in several cases is also “deeply worrying,” according to the CHR.

CHR cited nine recent cases that illustrate “the alarming scale and severity” of rape of minors in the country. In most cases, the rape involves family members who are accused of committing the crime.

In one case, a man was arrested in Manila after allegedly raping his 14-year-old daughter for two years. She later admitted that her uncle raped her first in 2022.

In another incident, a man allegedly raped his niece in Calamba, Laguna when she was 10 years old and until she was 17. He then fled to Bicol, where he allegedly raped his partner’s three minor daughters.

Meanwhile, a man was arrested in N Argao, Cebu after allegedly raping his 14-year-old daughter multiple times. The child told her sister about the incident, who informed her grandmother and reported the incident to the authorities.

Two other incidents occurred in Marikina City and Quezon. There, the two suspects were accused of raping several family members and have since been arrested.

In a recent incident in Zamboanga del Norte, the “decomposing body” of an 11-year-old girl who had been missing for days was found. Authorities suspect she was raped before her death. Her older, 20-year-old relative later turned himself in to police, who said he admitted to killing her but denied the alleged rape.

The Human Rights Commission said these crimes against minors “must be condemned in the strongest possible terms.”

The human rights organization said that child sexual abuse by family members “exacerbates victims’ trauma as they are betrayed and abused by those they should trust most.”

“The lifelong effects of such abuse go far beyond physical harm and often leave lasting emotional and psychological scars,” the CHR said.

The CHR called on the authorities to bring the perpetrators to full account in accordance with the rule of law and noted the swift action of the Philippine National Police and other authorities in arresting the suspects.

“We also encourage victims and their families to speak out about these acts of abuse and violence. The Commission recognises that it takes enormous courage to speak out, but this is the first step towards justice and accountability,” the human rights organisation added.

“The CHR stands ready to offer help and support. No one should suffer in silence and together we can break the cycle of abuse and violence against women and children,” the CHR also said.

Several studies have shown that it is difficult to accurately estimate the number of incest rape victims in the country due to underreporting and fear of reprisal.

According to data available from the Ministry of Social Welfare and Development, between 2011 and 2016, almost a third of the victims, or around 2,770 out of a total of 7,418, were sexually abused by their family members.

According to the US Department of State’s 2022 report on the human rights situation in the country, law enforcement agencies and NGOs agreed that criminals and their family members continued to abuse minors to produce pornography and engage in cybersex activities, despite legal penalties and government efforts to catch perpetrators.

RELATED: US report: Philippines still has problems protecting children from sexual abuse

Victims of sexual abuse can report cases to the CHR’s Citizen Assistance and Support Department using the following contact details:

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