AN ACT PROVIDING FOR STRONGER DETERRENCE AND SPECIAL

PROTECTION AGAINST CHILD ABUSE, EXPLOITATION AND

DISCRIMINATION, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

Anti- Child Abuse Law (RA 7610)

Persons and Family Relations - Nickol John Gonzales

Salient provisions

1. Definition of terms
2. Punishable Acts
3. Penalties
4. Remedial Procedures
1. Definition of Terms
A. Children (Art 1, sec 3)

A person who is below 18 years old or those over but are unable to fully take care of
themselves from abuse, neglect, cruelty, exploitation or discrimination because of
physical or mental disability or condition.

B. Child Abuse

Refers to the maltreatment, whether habitual or not of the child. ( Includes but
not limited to physical, emotional, sexual abuse. Neglect, abandonment.)
2.) Punishable Acts
1) Child Abuse- maltreatment, whether habitual or not, of the child which includes any for the following:
a. Psychological and physical abuse, neglect, cruelty, sexual abuse and emotional maltreatment;

b. Any act by deeds or words which debases, degrades, or demeans the intrinsic worth and dignity of
a child as a human being;

c. Unreasonable deprivation of his basic needs for survival, such as food and shelter; or

d. Failure to immediately give medical treatment to an injured child resulting in serious impairment of
his growth and development or in his permanent incapacity or death.
2.) Punishable Acts
2) Child Prostitution and other sexual abuse

a. Children, whether male or female

b. For money OR profit OR any other consideration OR due to coercion OR influence

c. Of any ADULT, SYNDICATE, or GROUP Indulge in sexual intercourse or lascivious conduct.

2.) Punishable Acts
3) Attempt to commit Child prostitution

a. Attempt under Par. A, Sec 5 i. Any person, not relative of a child

Found alone with the child in a room, cubicle of a house, inn, hotel, motel, etc under circumstances
which would lead a reasonable person to believe that the child is about to be exploited in prostitution
and other sexual abuse.

b. Attempt under Par. B, Sec 5 i. Any person Receiving services from a child in a sauna parlor or
batch, massage clinic, health club, etc.
2.) Punishable Acts
4) Attempt to commit, commit child trafficking

a. Any person who shall engage in trading and dealing with children including, but not limited to, the
act of buying and selling a child for money, and for any other consideration, or barter.

b. Attempt under Art IV sec 8.

5.) Obscene publications and indecent shows

a. A child is employed, used, persuaded, induced, or coerced

b. To perform in obscene exhibitions and indecent shows, whether live or in video, or model in
obscene publications or pornographic materials where such materials are distributed
2.) Punishable Acts
6.) Other acts if Neglect, Abuse, Cruelty or Exploitation and other conditions Prejudicial to the Child’s
Development

a. Violation of Art. 59, PD 603

b. Keeping in his company a minor, 12 years or under or 10 years younger than the person liable, in
any public or private place, hotel, motel, beer joint, discotheque, cabaret, pension house, sauna or
massage parlor, beach resort, etc.

c. Inducement, delivery, or offering of a minor for the above mentioned act d. Use, coercion, forcing, or
intimidating a street child or any other child to i. Beg or use begging as a means of living; ii. Acts as
conduit or middlemen in drug trafficking or pushing; or iii. Conduct any illegal activities .
3.) Penalties
Penalties Penalties Penalties for those found guilty of the crime of Child Prostitution and Other Sexual
Abuse

a. (Procurer) Reclusion Temporal (Medium) to Reclusion Perpetua for acts described in Article III
Section 5(a)

Penalties for those found guilty of the crime of Other Acts of Abuse involving children a. (Parents)
Prision Mayor (Minimum) for those found guilty of Child Abuse or Neglect including those covered by
Article 59 of PD No. 603 (The Child and Youth Welfare Code)
4.) Remedial Procedures
Who may file a complaint?

1) Offended party;

2) Parents or guardians;

3) Ascendant or collateral relative within the third degree of consanguinity;

4) Officer, social worker or representative of a licensed child-caring institution;

5) Officer or social worker of the DSWD;

4.) Remedial Procedures
6) Barangay Chairman; or

7) At least 3 concerned responsible citizens where the violation occurred.

Protective Custody of the Child- offended party will immediately be placed under the custody of the
DSWS

Confidentiality of offended party’s identity

Special court proceedings- RTC as Juvenile and Domestic Court; preference to the hearing or
disposition of cases involving violations of this Act.
Thank you!
References:

1. Anti child abuse law- A primer for criminal law review by Cesar Jose Francisco, Ryan Robert
Flores.

(https://www.scribd.com/document/330794987/R-A-No-7610-summary)

1. Full text - Lawphil

https://www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra1992/ra_7610_1992.html