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Practice Exams

Module 5.5: Special Protection of Children Against Abuse (RA 7610)

This act is known as the "Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act."

I. Definition of Child Abuse

Under RA 7610, child abuse refers to the maltreatment, whether habitual or not, of a child which includes any of the following:

  1. Psychological and physical abuse, neglect, cruelty, sexual abuse, and emotional maltreatment.
  2. Any act by deeds or words which debases, degrades or demeans the intrinsic worth and dignity of a child as a human being.
  3. Unreasonable deprivation of his basic needs for survival, such as food and shelter.
  4. Failure to immediately give medical treatment to an injured child resulting in serious impairment of his growth and development or in his permanent incapacity or death.

Who is a child? A person below eighteen (18) years of age or those over but are unable to fully take care of themselves or protect themselves from abuse, neglect, cruelty, exploitation or discrimination because of a physical or mental disability or condition.

II. Acts Punished Under RA 7610

  1. Child Prostitution and Other Sexual Abuse: Engaging in or promoting sexual activities with a child for money or other considerations.
  2. Child Trafficking: The act of trading or dealing with children, including buying or selling a child.
  3. Obscene Publications and Indecent Shows: Using a child in obscene shows, pornographic materials, or other indecent exhibitions.
  4. Other Acts of Abuse, Cruelty, or Exploitation: This is a general category that covers various acts of abuse not specifically mentioned, including psychological cruelty.
  5. Child Labor: The employment of a child in activities that are harmful to their health, safety, or morals.
  6. Keeping a minor in prohibited places: It is unlawful for any person to keep or have in his company a minor, twelve (12) years or under or who is ten (10) years or more his junior in any public or private place, hotel, motel, beer joint, discotheque, cabaret, pension house, sauna or massage parlor, beach and other tourist resorts or retirement village.

III. Penalties

The penalties under RA 7610 are severe and vary depending on the gravity of the offense.

  • Child Trafficking: Reclusion temporal to reclusion perpetua.
  • Child Prostitution: Prision mayor in its medium period to reclusion temporal.
  • Child Labor: A fine of not less than P1,000 but not more than P10,000 or imprisonment of not less than 3 months but not more than 3 years, or both.
  • Acts of child abuse: Prision mayor in its minimum period. If the victim is under twelve (12) years of age, the penalty is reclusion perpetua.
  • Keeping a minor in prohibited places: Prision mayor in its maximum period and a fine of not less than P50,000.

IV. Multiple Choice Questions

  1. What is the official title of RA 7610? a) Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act b) Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act c) Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act d) Anti-Child Labor Law

  2. Under RA 7610, who is considered a "child"? a) A person below 21 years of age. b) A person below 18 years of age. c) A person below 18 years of age, or those over but with physical or mental disability. d) A person below 15 years of age.

  3. Which of the following is NOT considered child abuse under RA 7610? a) Physical and psychological abuse. b) Failure to provide medical treatment. c) Reasonable deprivation of basic needs due to poverty. d) Acts that debase the dignity of a child.

  4. The act of trading or dealing with children is known as: a) Child abuse b) Child trafficking c) Child labor d) Child prostitution

  5. What is the penalty for child trafficking under RA 7610? a) Prision mayor b) Reclusion temporal to reclusion perpetua c) Arresto mayor d) A fine only

  6. Which of the following is an example of an "indecent show" involving a child? a) A school play b) A child acting in a TV commercial c) A child used in a pornographic film d) A child participating in a talent show

  7. What is the penalty for engaging a child in prostitution? a) Prision mayor in its medium period to reclusion temporal b) Reclusion perpetua c) A fine of P1,000 d) Community service

  8. It is unlawful for a person to be in the company of a minor who is ten years his junior in which of the following places? a) Church b) School c) Mall d) Motel

  9. What is the liability of a person who fails to report a known case of child abuse? a) Imprisonment b) A fine of not more than P2,000 c) Both a and b d) No liability

  10. Which of the following is NOT a form of child abuse mentioned in RA 7610? a) Sexual abuse b) Neglect c) Educational abuse d) Emotional maltreatment

  11. What is the penalty for employing a child in a hazardous work environment? a) A warning from the DOLE b) A fine of not less than P1,000 but not more than P10,000 or imprisonment. c) The business will be closed permanently. d) The child will be taken into custody by DSWD.

  12. A person who debases, degrades or demeans the intrinsic worth and dignity of a child as a human being is liable for: a) Physical injury b) Child abuse c) Slander d) Unjust vexation

  13. What is the maximum penalty for the worst forms of child abuse if the victim is under 12 years of age? a) Reclusion temporal b) Prision mayor c) Reclusion perpetua d) Life imprisonment

  14. The unreasonable deprivation of a child's basic needs for survival, such as food and shelter, constitutes: a) Child neglect b) Child labor c) Child exploitation d) All of the above

  15. What agency is primarily tasked with the implementation of RA 7610? a) Department of Justice (DOJ) b) Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) c) Philippine National Police (PNP) d) All of the above, as they have coordinated roles.

V. Answer Key

  1. b) Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act
  2. c) A person below 18 years of age, or those over but with physical or mental disability.
  3. c) Reasonable deprivation of basic needs due to poverty.
  4. b) Child trafficking
  5. b) Reclusion temporal to reclusion perpetua
  6. c) A child used in a pornographic film
  7. a) Prision mayor in its medium period to reclusion temporal
  8. d) Motel
  9. b) A fine of not more than P2,000
  10. c) Educational abuse
  11. b) A fine of not less than P1,000 but not more than P10,000 or imprisonment.
  12. b) Child abuse
  13. c) Reclusion perpetua
  14. a) Child neglect
  15. d) All of the above, as they have coordinated roles.