SC Says Too Much Discipline That Harms a Child’s Dignity is Child Abuse
The Supreme Court (SC) has clarified that excessive discipline harming a child’s dignity constitutes child abuse under Philippine law.
Associate Justice Jhosep Lopez condemns a father who was found guilty of abusing his children between 2017 and 2018.
The father was reported to have physically and verbally abused his children, including kicking his daughter, pulling her hair, hitting them with objects like a dustpan and a stick with nails, and repeatedly cursing at them.
He argued that his actions were intended to discipline them for misbehavior, such as skipping meals.
Both the Regional Trial Court and the Court of Appeals found the father guilty of violating Republic Act No. 7610, also known as the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act.
The law specifies that actions that degrade a child’s dignity are classified as child abuse.
Upon appealing to the SC, the father insisted he had no intention of harming his children’s dignity. However, the SC ruled that his actions exceeded reasonable discipline and demonstrated a clear intent to harm their dignity.
The court emphasized that while parents have the right to discipline their children, such measures must not be excessive, violent, or disproportionate to the child’s wrongdoing.
The SC also clarified that if there is no intent to harm dignity, the accused may not be liable for child abuse but could still face charges under other provisions of the law.
The father was sentenced to four to six years of imprisonment and fined P45,000. Additionally, he was ordered to pay P180,000 as damages to his children, emphasizing the consequences of actions that violate a child’s rights and dignity.
The ruling reinforces the importance of protecting children from harm, even within the family setting.
In a previous report, a heartbreaking video of young victim of child abuse goes viral, rages netizens
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