Objectives: This study used a descriptive, qualitative design to explore the local understanding of child discipline and analyze the important link between parental discipline and child abuse. Methods: Focus group discussions and key informant interviews were conducted with parents, children, local leaders, and professionals in 6 rural communities in the Philippines. The respondents were asked which corrective behaviors they would consider acceptable or abusive to children by showing them a list of disciplinary acts. Results: The results showed an adequate understanding of the purpose and intent of child discipline. Children are generally disciplined to teach them good values, mold and shape their characters and equip them with a moral sense of right and wrong. Child discipline is considered already harmful if: the child sustains physical injuries and psychological pain; the disciplinary action is not commensurate to the offense committed by the child and is used frequently and repetitively, without any valid reason; when sensitive body parts such as the head are involved, and when the disciplinary action is not appropriate to the age, gender, physical and mental status of the child. Among the various types of disciplinary acts, counseling, beating or spanking, and withdrawing or reducing school allowance were considered most acceptable. Hanging, burning, and scalding were the most unacceptable or abusive disciplinary behaviors. Compared to parents, professionals, and local leaders, children were more lenient as they regarded certain inappropriate behaviors by adults as somewhat tolerable. Conclusion Despite having an adequate understanding of the purpose and intent of child discipline, there is still a need to educate parents, children, and local leaders about when a disciplinary act becomes harmful to children. Community stakeholders should also be informed about how and where to report the abuse once it is identified.
Child Abuse

Objectives: This study aimed to estimate the national prevalence of violence against Filipino children and youth as experienced in various forms and settings. Methods: About 3,866 young people aged 13-24 years from 172 randomly selected barangays (villages) nationwide participated in the survey. The questionnaire was self-administered, interviewer-administered, or interviewer-assisted, depending on the capability and preference of the respondent. Female respondents were interviewed or assisted by a female field assistant, while male field assistants guided the male respondents. The questionnaire was translated into seven local dialects and administered in the most comprehensible language to the respondent. Results: Overall, 80 percent of the 3,866 respondents experienced any one form of violence in the home, school, workplace, and community. More than 3 in five suffered from physical, psychological, and peer violence, while 22.4 percent were victims of sexual abuse. Ten percent were physically neglected, while a fourth felt psychologically neglected by their caregivers. More boys claimed to have been sexually abused and physically neglected, while more girls were bullied and witnessed psychological violence in the home. VAC prevalence was, however, found to be highest among LGBTQ+s compared to heterosexual males and females. Despite the high prevalence, less than 10 percent of respondents disclosed their experiences of abuse, primarily to friends and parents. About one in 10 ever sought help from a professional. Conclusion There is a need to improve the implementation of child protection programs at the local level, where violence issues of heterosexual boys and girls and LGBTs are addressed.
Violence ; Child ; Adolescent