The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) granted clearance for the conduct of the Baseline Survey on Violence against Children in Valenzuela City proposed by the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) and to be conducted by Child Protection Network Foundation, Inc. This is also in cooperation with the City of Valenzuela, UP Manila-Philippine General Hospital, UNICEF, Consuelo Zobel Alger Foundation, and the Global Partnership to End Violence against Children.

The survey will be used to gather epidemiological data on violence against children experienced across a range of settings. More specifically, it aims to:

1. Estimate the prevalence of violence against children (VAC) in Valenzuela City;
2. Estimate the incidence of VAC during the Covid-19 pandemic in Valenzuela City;
3. Identify potential risk and protective factors of VAC;
4. Enumerate the health consequences of VAC; and
5. Assess children’s knowledge and utilization of health, legal and welfare services related to VAC.

The survey will also establish a baseline data on VAC in Valenzuela City. This is the first adaption of the National Baseline Study to End Violence Against Children (NBS-VAC) to be implemented at the city level. It will provide information on the prevalence, causes and consequences of child maltreatment that will help design and plan strategies, at the same time providing means to track and evaluate the impact of prevention efforts in the city. Using data on risk and protective factors, the study can recommend priorities for prevention among those at high risk for experiencing or perpetrating child maltreatment, as well as priorities for addressing the associated risk factors. Finally, the study can provide information on factors that influence the utilization of child protection services in the city. This survey is expected to pave the way for future similar studies in other locales, as other cities undertake the local implementation of evidence-based violence prevention and response programs.

A total of 793 children and youth aged 13 to 24 years old from selected barangays in Valenzuela City will be the respondents of the survey. The results of the survey are targeted to be released in
January 2021.

Major data items to be collected in this undertaking include the following:

1. Background (demographics, socioeconomic status, education, work)
2. Disability
3. Food/Material Insecurity
4. Friendships and community connectedness
5. Parents, marriage and partnerships
6. Gender attitudes and attitudes about corporal punishment
7. Discipline and safety
8. Witnessing violence
9. Community characteristics
10. Sex and gender status
11. Dating, sexual behavior, history and risk-taking
12. Pregnancy
13. Violence victimization including Sexual Violence (abuse, non-contact, exploitation), Physical violence, Emotional violence, Neglect and Bullying
14. Violence perpetration
15. Health outcomes
16. Services seeking and utilization

A total budget amounting to PhP 3.7 million will be utilized in the survey.

This undertaking was reviewed and cleared for conduct under the Statistical Survey Review and Clearance System (SSRCS), a mechanism being implemented by the PSA by virtue of Rule 28 of Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) No. 10625 to:

1. Ensure sound design for data collection;
2. Minimize the burden placed upon respondents;
3. Effect economy in statistical data collection;
4. Eliminate unnecessary duplication of statistical data collection efforts; and
5. Achieve better coordination of government statistical activities.

In line with this, the PSA enjoins the citizens of Valenzuela city to support the said survey.

For further information on SSRCS, please contact the Statistical Standards Division (SSD) of the Standards Service (SS) with telephone numbers (02) 8376-1928 and (02) 8376-1931, and email address: ssd.staff@psa.gov.ph or ssdss.staff@gmail.com

DENNIS S. MAPA, Ph.D.
Undersecretary
National Statistician and Civil Registrar General

See more at the Statistical Survey Review and Clearance System (SSRCS) landingpage.