DAVAO CITY, Philippines — The City Social Services and Development Office has received a number of child abuse reports barely six days after the successful launch of “Kean Gabriel” child abuse hotline.
Juenalyn Pablo, Social Worker 1 of CSSDO, said they responded to an average of six child abuse cases from calls received through the hotline, noting that some calls include parental custody.
“There’s a case of two ‘special’ children who experienced abuses that we acted upon ” Pablo told reporters Thursday.
She said there were also prank calls. and in one incident that they responded, they found out “that the father locked his child inside their house to proceed to his furniture work.”
“We referred the case to the barangay and made the father execute an affidavit not to repeat the act,” she said.
She said they have not pulled out any children yet under parents’ custody. She said they refer cases to barangays and settles the incident of child abuse among the parents of the children.
Pablo warned the public not to make any prank calls or text in the hotline.
“Our focus is to act on abuses against children, but if there will be prank calls then it might hinder us from helping those who really need help,” she said.
Information about abused children can be reported by calling or texting 0908-818-4444.
The hotline was named after the child victim Kean Gabriel, a 3-year old boy who died last August 24 after being maltreated by his stepfather. It was launched last Oct. 28, Friday. (davaotoday.com)
