Eleven-year-old Jerry's crime was breaking curfew laws after fleeing violence at home. His punishment? Being sent to a youth detention centre, ...
MANILA: Eleven-year-old Jerry's crime was breaking curfew laws after fleeing violence at home. His punishment? Being sent to a youth detention centre, where he says he endured sexual abuse.
There are 55 government-run Houses of Hope nationwide, but this is well short of the 114 the Philippines has estimated it needs to properly house troubled juveniles AFP/Noel CELISUnder existing law, Houses of Hope are primarily to hold young offenders aged 15 to 18. But charities say younger vulnerable children from troubled homes, like Jerry, are sometimes swept up in the dragnet even for minor misdemeanours and struggle to recover from the experience.
"If you are a child subjected to this environment, you can learn violence or abusive behaviour. If they want to change something ... treat detention as the last resort," explained Suamen of Bahay Tuluyan Foundation.A bill to give authorities the power to prosecute younger children stalled in the session of the legislature that wrapped up last month.
But critics insist conditions in many of the facilities are identical to or worse than the jails adults are sent to. These guidelines include having one social worker for every 25 children, providing one bed per resident along with nutritious meals, clothing, toiletries and rehabilitation programmes. However Duterte has repeatedly attacked the change as hampering police efforts to crack down on underage couriers for drug syndicates.
Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Communication key to tackling weather extremes crisis: ExpertAs weather extremes get worse, there is an urgent need to better connect the threat of climate change to ordinary people.. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Read more »
President calls on youth to help vulnerable groupsPresident Halimah Yacob joined more than 1,000 young people, volunteers from the People's Association and beneficiaries of the President's Challenge to play sports, such as street football, basketball and netball, as well as dance at *Scape yesterday.. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Read more »
President Halimah rallies youths to volunteer and support vulnerable groupsSINGAPORE - President Halimah Yacob joined over 1,000 youths, volunteers from People's Association and beneficiaries of the President's Challenge to play sports such as street football, basketball, netball and dance at *SCAPE on Saturday (July 20).. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Read more »
Alaphilippe, Pinot shine on Tour's Tourmalet to lift home hopesJulian Alaphilippe hedged his bets when asked about his chances of winning the Tour de France, but together with Thibaut Pinot, he is leading a ...
Read more »
Spotlight on fire protection at HDB homes after string of blazesHaving a fire extinguisher at home is essential but many don't have it.. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Read more »
Mosquito breeding in homes: 1,200 enforcement actions takenSome 1,200 enforcement actions were taken against households for mosquito breeding from January to June, even as the number of dengue cases has continued to climb.. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Read more »