The Catholic Education Association of the Philippines (CEAP) is deeply concerned about the findings of the 4th National Plan of Action for Children, which reveals that 80% of Filipino children experience some form of violence at home, in schools, workplaces, communities, and relationships.
In a news post on the Radio Veritas website, a report from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) states that 3 out of 5 children experience violent discipline, while 1 in 3 experiences bullying in school. Additionally, 1 in 5 children who use the internet in the Philippines has encountered sexual abuse or exploitation online.
In 2023, the Philippine National Police–Women and Children Protection Center received 18,756 reports of violations against children’s rights, including 17,304 cases of violence against children.
CEAP emphasizes that addressing this alarming reality is part of the mission of Catholic schools. The organization stresses the importance of being prepared to respond when a child’s dignity is harmed. Veritas News also reported that CEAP pointed to the “revised CANE+D Protocol,” which provides a clearer process for identifying, reporting, investigating, and managing cases of abuse, as well as addressing legal proceedings, rehabilitation, reintegration, and prevention.
CEAP noted that implementing the “CANE+D Protocol” is part of its Healing Series, which includes HEAL, HARMONIZE, HARDEN, HUMANIZE, and HONOR. These elements represent different aspects of how Catholic schools can respond to communities experiencing trauma and violence. The organization insists that healing goes beyond simply helping a child feel better after an incident; it also encompasses protection, truth, accountability, accompaniment, restoration, and rebuilding trust. “Healing, therefore, cannot mean simply helping a child feel better after something has happened.
In Catholic education, healing must include protection, truth, accountability, accompaniment, restoration, and the rebuilding of trust. The deeper question for every Catholic school is whether we have a system that can recognize a child’s suffering and respond without causing further harm. We must also ensure that no child is left to carry that suffering alone,” according to CEAP.
Drawing inspiration from the encyclical Fratelli Tutti, Pope Francis advocated for the recognition of the dignity of every person and promoting fraternity and compassion for others, especially those in need of protection and support.
