Policy Brief on Raising the Age of Statutory Rape

IMPACT OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE ON CHILDREN

Rape is the most horrendous of all forms of sexual violence and is one of the most heinous crimes that can be committed against a person. The effects on victims often result in life-long trauma and dire consequences. These include but are not limited to: 5

THE PHILIPPINES CURRENTLY HAS THE HIGHEST RATE OF TEENAGE PREGNANCY IN SOUTH EAST ASIA

! Poor psychosocial development ! Lower self-esteem ! Negative view of others and the world ! Self-harming behavior such as depression, anxiety and suicide ! Drinking & substance problems ! Increased risk-taking behavior

! Sexually transmitted diseases ! Teenage pregnancy

raising the age of consent

DARKER SIDE OF TEENAGE PREGNANCIES

can decrease high rates of teenage pregnancies

NATIONAL YOUTH COMMISSION 9

Many early pregnancies may also be attributed to sexual abuse and rape. 6

approx. 100k of 150k births to teenage mothers were fathered by significantly older partners [aged 15-19] 7

4 National Objectives for Health Survey of the Department of Health (2000) 5 NBS-VAC Systematic Literature Review 6 https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1228935/fwd-the-darker-side-of- teenage-pregnancies-some-of-incidents-stem-from-abuse-rape 7 Ibid 8 Noll, J., Shenk, C., & Putnam, K. (2009). Childhood Sexual Abuse and Adolescent Pregnancy: A Meta-analytic Update. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 366-378 9 http://nyc.gov.ph/nyc-raising-statutory-rape-coverage-will-curb- teen-prostitution/

Supplemental analysis suggested that 4-5 out of 10 pregnant adolescents may had have a prior history of child sexual abuse. 8

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