The number of violence against children (VAC) cases in the Philippines has been steadily decreasing since 2016, according to the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC), an agency under the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
CWC Undersecretary Angelo Tapales cited Philippine National Police data showing reported VAC cases dropped from 23,816 in 2016 to 18,089 in 2024. Despite this positive trend, the government remains committed to fully eradicating violence against children.
The decline is partly credited to new laws like Republic Act 11930, which targets online sexual abuse and exploitation of children. President Marcos has also held sectoral meetings to address these issues.
Under updated 2025 guidelines, local governments must pass ordinances preventing online abuse, provide trained personnel for handling cases, and set up referral systems.
Tapales emphasized that agencies including the DSWD, CWC, and Department of the Interior and Local Government continue to prioritize the protection and welfare of Filipino children.