TARLAC CITY — Tarlac Police Provincial Office inked a Memorandum of Understanding with various government agencies, and non-governmental organizations for Project Barangay Empowerment on Child Abuse Resistance and Elimination Fight Unwanted Lewd Design (BE CAREFUL).
It aims to prevent sexual violence from happening through intensified information drive in communities with the participation of stakeholders.
Police Provincial Director Police Colonel Erwin Sanque said there is an alarming increase of rape cases in the province and it needs to be addressed.
“Project BE CAREFUL focuses on protecting children from abuse and on minimizing the effects of the abuse because children should have a safe childhood,” he emphasized.
Based on the summary of focus crimes from January 1, 2022 to May 15, 2022, Tarlac recorded a total of 27 rape crimes, which is second to the highest following theft with 38 crimes.
In classification of perpetrator’s relationship to the victim, most number of cases occur with strangers with 14 cases; followed by incest with 6 cases; boyfriend with 4 cases; and brother-in-law with 3 cases.
Vulnerable victims include children with disabilities, children living with stepfather or mother’s boyfriend, and children living only with their father.
As a way forward, Project BE CAREFUL was created to facilitate forums in the barangays while involving social media for information dissemination.
“We are grateful for your presence here today to participate in our commitment to ending child abuse and child exploitation,” Sanque added.
Meanwhile, Soroptimist International of Tarlac President Evangeline Somera assured the organization’s support in the campaign.
“We are so honored because you invited us to join this project. We have a hope center for women and girls, which will be utilized as a temporary shelter for women and children who are victims of sexual violence and abuses,” Somera said.
Other partners include Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Philippine Information Agency, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry-Tarlac, Alliance Women Aid of Tarlac, and Tarlac City Bible Church. (CLJD/GLSB-PIA 3)
