cebu city multi-stakeholders summit on juvenile justice with city

8/2/2019 CEBU CITY Multi-Stakeholders Summit on Juvenile Justice With City

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Cebu City Practices in Implementing

Restorative Justice Programs and

Community Diversion

Restoring Hope and Dignity to

Children in Conflict with the Law

By: Mr. Antonio C. Auditor

Executive Director

FREELAVA, Inc.

Multi-StakeholdersSummit on Juvenile

Justice with City

Mayor Rodrigo R.Duterte


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Background:

a. Strong and active Cebu City Task Forceon Street Children - a network of 27

NGOs headed by Ms. Margot Osmea;

chaired the task force since 1986;

b. City Ordinance creating the Cebu City

Commission for the Welfare and

Protection of Children, a multi-sectoral

commission - supervises and monitors allprograms and services for children

especially the functionality of the

Barangay Council for the Protection of

Children;


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Background

c. City Council which is verysupportive of the programs and

services for children including

those managed by NGOs, the

private sectors and faith-based

organizations;

d. Federation of Gender andDevelopment Focal Persons which

is composed of GAD Focal

Officers;


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Rationale for Implementing

Alternative Programs for CICL

a. the population of our children in jails were

increasing and due to lack of separate

facilities, majority of them were mixed

with adult criminals;

b. most of the children languishing in jails

were charged of petty offenses where

cases are clogged-up in courts; many ofthem were jailed for an average of 3

months before they were called for

arraignment;


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c. conditions of our jail facility at

that time were sub-standard and

support for rehabilitation was

inadequate or in many

instances, none at all;

d. we had no separate justice

system that would treat CICL aschildren, different from adults;

Rationale for Implementing Alternative Programs for CICL


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Rationale for Implementing Alternative Programs for CICL

e. we had inadequate recovery and

reintegration services and strategiesfor former CICL the moment they

go back to their homes and

communities; and

f. gangs and gang wars were

starting to be more frequent which

at all times we discovered, involved

also some of our former offenders

and those children at risks.


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d. Structures have to be put in place

(i.e. Childrens Justice Committees)

e. Organizing and training of peer

educators, community volunteers andoutreach educators

f. Policy advocacy and networking

g. Organizing and training of peer

educators, community volunteers and

outreach educators

Starting the Work on the Ground


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h. Enhancing policy advocacy and

networking

i. Engaging the participation of former

offenders

j. Mobilizing the parents and

guardians of CICL through small

group discussions (pulong-pulong)

k. Institutionalization of the programs

for sustainability

Starting the Work on the Ground


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Initial Results:

a. Raised the awareness of thecommunity on the rights of CICL

while parents realized their roles

and responsibilities to their

children

b. Rates of offending among

children declined

c. As of 2006, more than 700 cases

were settled through the

diversion program


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d. Population in Operation Second

Chance went down

e. Sensitized Barangay Tanods and

Local Officials in dealing with CICL

f. Volunteers and peer educators

became more active

g. Increased active community

participation and support

Initial Results


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Cebu Citys Responses to

RA 9344:

a. A Technical Working Group was

organized

b. Followed-up the cases of CICLconfined at Operation Second

Chance

c. Conducted series of orientationsabout the law (RA 9344) with

local officials, Social Workers,

Police Officers


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d. Strengthened the police diversion

program and provided support toBalay Pasilungan

e. Training of local officials in

implementing the community-baseddiversion program

f. Held dialogues with SK Chairmenand GAD Focal Persons

g. Hired additional City Social Workers

Cebu Citys Responses to RA 9344


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h. Training on conflict management,

mediation and others

i. Supported existing childrens

organizations

j. Dialogues and training of parents

and guardians of former CICL

k. Reprogrammed the operations of

Operation Second Chance

Cebu Citys Responses to RA 9344


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Lessons Learned:

a. Support of local officials is veryimportant

b. There must be a comprehensive plan for

children through active BCPCs

c. It is important to provide capacity

building programs for Local Social

Workers and community support groups

d. There must be strong coordination with

the police and other law enforcement

agencies


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e. It is important to explain the law

and its principles to all

f. Motivate community volunteers and

peer educators

g. Put into place effective

rehabilitation and re-integration

mechanisms

h. There must be sincere acceptance

for a paradigm shift from

traditional to alternative practices.

Lessons Learned


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cebu city multi-stakeholders summit on juvenile justice with city

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