BUTUAN CITY – The Caraga Region office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Friday made strategic plans to prevent the alarming cases of child sexual abuse and exploitation.

The strategic planning was due to rise of rape cases recorded at various law enforcement agencies and the department.

At present, the DSWD Caraga already reported 34 rape cases, where some of the victims were minors.

This data came out during a press conference at the DSWD Caraga Regional Conference Hall here.

The additional strategic approach observance is a yearly commemorative undertaking that aims topromote the protection of children from abuse and exploitation, said DSWD Regional Director Mercedita P. Jabagat.

“Anyway, this is also part of our activities to advocate and campaign against these forms of abuse to children,” she said.

These added approach included hanging of streamers, radio interviews, and workshops on child protection laws at the Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth (RRCY) and Home for Girls (HFG), and orientation on child protection laws/services including domestic adoption process to all Area-Based Network or ABSNET, added Jabagat.

Meanwhile, the DSWD Caraga has continuously campaigned for legal adoption as the whole nation celebrated the adoption consciousness week this month, it was also learned.

The theme for this year’s celebration “Isulong Legal Na Pag-aampon, Hindi Simulation,” aptly conveys the message of DSWD against simulation of birth.

Jabagat said simulation of birth is the altering and tampering of birth certificates of newly born babies, and registering name as parents other than biological parents.