SEXUAL ABUSE AGAINST MINOR, MULTI-SECTORAL FRAMEWORK, COLLABORATIVE PROGRAMS, CULTURAL STIGMA, SOCIETAL NORMS 

SEXUAL ABUSE AGAINST MINOR IS A CRITICAL ISSUE THAT DEMANDS A COMPREHENSIVE AND COLLABORATIVE RESPONSE. THE MULTI-SECTORAL APPROACH, INVOLVING VARIOUS STAKEHOLDERS FROM GOVERNMENT, NON- GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS, LAW ENFORCEMENT, HEALTHCARE, AND EDUCATION, AIMS TO ADDRESS THIS CHALLENGE. USING A QUALITATIVE APPROACH THIS RESEARCH DELVES INTO THE GAPS WITHIN THE EXISTING MULTI-SECTORAL FRAMEWORK AND EVALUATES THE EFFECTIVENESS OF COLLABORATIVE PROGRAMS IN THE PROVINCE OF BENGUET. ADDITIONALLY, IT EXPLORES THE CHALLENGES AND BARRIERS FACED BY DIFFERENT SECTORS AS THEY COORDINATE EFFORTS TO PREVENT AND RESPOND TO SEXUAL ABUSE AGAINST MINORS. CULTURAL, SOCIETAL, AND SYSTEMATIC FACTORS ARE CONSIDERED WITHIN THIS CONTEXT. INITIAL FINDINGS INDICATE SIGNIFICANT GAPS IN THE CURRENT MULTI-SECTORAL FRAMEWORK, UNDERSCORING THE NEED FOR IMPROVED COORDINATION AND COMMUNICATION AMONG STAKEHOLDERS IMPORTANT OBSTACLES THAT STAND IN THE WAY OF SUCCESSFUL PREVENTIVE AND RESPONSE TACTICS ARE SYSTEMATIC INEFFICIENCIES, CULTURAL STIGMAS AND SOCIETAL NORMS. THE REPORT DISCUSSES THE NEED FOR A MORE COHESIVE AND CULTURALLY SENSITIVES STRATEGY IN ORDER TO PROVIDE IMPROVED PROTECTION AND SUPPORT FOR MINORS IN BENGUET. DRAWING ON STUDY FINDINGS, IT PROPOSES AN INSTITUTIONALIZED AND EXECUTABLE COLLABORATIVE PROGRAM WITH HELPFUL RECOMMENDATIONS AND GUIDLINES. TRANSLATING RESEARCH FINDINGS INTO TANGIBLE OUTCOMES IS INTEGRAL TO ENSURING THAT EFFORTS TO PREVENT CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE ARE BOTH EFFECTIVE AND SUSTAINED. ADDRESSING THE IDENTIFIED DEFICIENCIES, STUDY AIMS TO ENHANCE THE MULTI-SECTORAL FRAMEWORK AND CULTIVATE A SAFER ENVIRONMENT FOR CHILDREN IN BENGUET.