POLICE received 18,756 allegations of child rights violations in 2023, 92 percent of which constituted violence against children or child abuse, rape and acts of lasciviousness, the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) said Saturday.

The council, an attached agency of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), said this month's National Children's Month will focus on pushing for an end to all forms of child violence.

CWC Executive Director Angelo Tapales noted that in 2023, the Philippine National Police-Women and Children Protection Center (PNP-WCPC) received 18,756 allegations of child rights violations.

"In that specific data, 17,304 incidents constitute violence against children or child abuse, rape and acts of lasciviousness," Tapales said.

"And these are the top three violations against children since 2016," he added.

Tapales called on the public to report child abuse and other offenses against children by calling the Makabata Helpline 1383.

"If you dial that number, we guarantee the necessary assistance is available," Tapales said.

As an affiliated agency of the DSWD, the CWC develops policies and monitors and evaluates the execution of legislation, programs, or projects for children and youth under the age of 18.

Tapales has called for a united strategy to combat online sexual abuse and exploitation of children, stating that the government, parents, families, communities and power holders must all collaborate to guarantee that children's rights are safeguarded and maintained at all times.

Earlier this year, the DSWD Field Office Calabarzon was able to save 10 victims of human trafficking in Biñan and Calamba, Laguna, on May 10 and 16, respectively.

"From the two separate rescue operations by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Anti-Human Trafficking Division, we have secured the three victim-survivors of online sexual abuse or exploitation of children and child sexual abuse or exploitation materials, who are all minors," DSWD Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said.

The DSWD aids trafficked individuals through the Recovery and Reintegration Program for Trafficked Persons (RRPTP).

Using a multi-sectoral approach, RRPTP provides a comprehensive package of assistance to address the emotional, social, and economic needs of trafficking victims and survivors.

"The agency is closely coordinating with the Philippine National Police and NBI to track and apprehend the perpetrators and rescue the victims of those acts," Dumlao said.