I.

Title

This policy shall be named “CIC – Child Protection and Anti – Bullying policy“

II. Rationale

Pursuant to the Child Protection Policy of the Department of Education, no. 40 Series of 2012 wherein
Schools should organize and convene a Child Protection Committee that would formulate a Child Protection
Policy to ensure that the ,children in school will be provided ample protection against Abuse, Violence ,
Exploitation, Discrimination, Bullying and other forms of abuse.

III. Definition of Terms

Child –Refers to any person below eighteen or those over but are unable to fully take care of themselves or
protect themselves from abuse, neglect, cruelty exploitation or discrimination because of a physical or mental
disability or condition. For the purposes of this policy the term also includes learners, who maybe eighteen
years old or older but are in school

CIC Student/Learner/Pupil –refers to the Student, Pupil or Learner who is enrolled in CIC

CIC School Personnel – persons singly or collectively working in CIC, be it in teaching or in non-
teaching (fulltime, partime, probationary and permanent). They are classified as follows:

a. Principal/Dean – The head of the particular department (HS, GS, PS, and college Dept.)
b. OSA Discipline Coordinator – responsible in the implementation student discipline
c. Guidance Counsellor – responsible in conducting counselling among student/learners
d. Administrator- Head of the particular Section of the Non-teaching personnel
e. Faculty – Probationary, Part-time, Full-Time, Permanent, Substitute/Contractual Employees
teaching in Pre - School, Grade School, High School, College and Graduate School levels
f. Non – Teaching Personnel – who may be assigned as office staff , and maintenance personnel and
all other employees of CIC who are Part time, Full Time, seasonal, Casual, Consultants and the
likes;

School Visitors or Guests – refers to any person found within the school premises with or without
business in the school

Parents –refers to biological parents, step-parent, adoptive parents and the common-law spouse or
partner of the parent

Guardians – refers to legal guardians, foster parents, and other persons, including relatives or even non-
relatives, who have physical custody of the child

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 IV. Duties and Responsibilities

CIC Child Protection Committee (CIC-CPC)

1) Draft a Child Protection Policy including the codes of conduct which will be reviewed after three years
from creation;
2) Ensure that the CIC Community is aware of the existing CIC- Child Protection Policy by initiating
Information awareness campaigns and programs regarding child protection;
3) Develop and implement a school-based referral and monitoring program;
4) Develop a positive and non- violent discipline of children;
5) Establish a system that would identify students who needs intervention;
6) Refer, Report and coordinate with appropriate government offices and agencies cases violation of the
CIC - Child Protection Policy if necessary;
7) Be of aid to parents or guardians in providing them with expert guidance counselling if appropriate;
8) There will be two kinds of CIC – Child Protection Committee:
a. CIC- CPC (Ad Hoc) – shall be in-charge on the creation of the policy. It shall be responsible in
the dissemination of information as well as the capacity building seminars that will be
conducted to the community. This shall be composed of the following members:

a.1. OSPS Head – Chairman

a.2. Discipline Coordinator, HS

a.3. Discipline Coordinator, GS

a.4. Discipline Coordinator, College

a.5. HRMO Representative

b. CIC – CPC (Standing Committee) – this Committee is an independent body which shall be in
charge of the implementation of the policy including but not limited to intervention,
investigation and decision makings. This shall be composed of the following :
b.1. Principal/Dean – Chairman (depending on the Student’s/pupil’s department)

b.2. Discipline Coordinator - Vice Chairman (depending on the department)

b.3. 1 representative from the CIC Faculty Club (if the offender is a Teacher or 1
representative from the CIC NTP Association (If the offender is NTP)

b.4. College Student Supreme Council - Representative Representing Students from

GS, HS and college

b.5. HRMO Representative

B.6. Immediate Head of the concerned Non-teaching personnel

Learners

1. Conform with the CIC – Child Protection Policy and The Codes of Conduct of every CICian;
2. Support the school’s campaign on Child Protection and Anti – Bullying;

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 3. Respect the rights of every individual and radiate a positive outlook on Abuse, Discrimination and a
bully free environment

Parents and Guardians

1. Shall adapt a Child Abuse and Bullying free atmosphere in their respective homes
2. Encourage their children to join campaigns and activities regarding child protection
3. Shall cooperate in cases there would be infractions committed by their children in relation to the policy

Teachers and School Personnel

1. Promote a child – friendly atmosphere in class and in school free from Abuse, Violence , Exploitation,
Discrimination, Bullying and other forms of abuse;
2. Practice positive and non – violent discipline, as maybe required under the circumstances; provided that
in no case shall corporal punishment shall be inflicted upon them;
3. Shall participate in capacity building seminars and activities initiated by the CIC – Child Protection
Committee
4. Shall strictly comply with the CIC – Child Protection Policy

Administrators

1. Shall be supportive to the implementation of the policy and initiatives of the committee;
2. Shall enforce and promulgate the CIC – Child Protection Policy and Anti-Bullying;
3. Shall exhibit equality and fair judgement at all times;

V. Offenses and their Sanctions

CHILD ABUSE, CHILD EXPLOTATION, DISCREMINATION ON CHILDREN AND VIOLENCE

Child Abuse – refers to the maltreatment of a child, whether habitual or not, which is any of the following but
not limited to:

1. Psychological or physical abuse, neglect, cruelty, sexual abuse and emotional maltreatment;

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2. Any act by deeds or words which debases, degrades or demeans the intrinsic worth and dignity of a
child as a human being;
3. Unreasonable deprivation of the child’s basic needs for survival, such as food and shelter; or
4. Failure to immediately give medical treatment to an injured child resulting to serious impairment of his
or her growth and development of in the child’s permanent incapacity or death

Discrimination against children – refers to an act of exclusion, distinction, restriction or preference which is
based on any ground such as age, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation and gender identity, language, religion,
political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth, being infected or affected by Human
Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), being pregnant, being a
child in conflict with the law, being a child with disability or other status or condition, and which has the
purpose or effect of nullifying or impairing the recognition, enjoyment or exercise by all persons, on an
equal footing, of all rights and freedoms.

Child Exploitation – refers to the use of children for someone else’s advantage, gratification or profit often
resulting in an unjust, cruel and harmful treatment of the child. These activities disrupt the child’s normal
physical or mental health, education moral or social emotional development. It covers situations of
manipulation, misuse, abuse, victimization, oppression or ill – treatment.

These are two (2) main forms of child exploitation that are recognized:

1. Sexual Exploitation – Refers to the abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for
sexual purposes. It includes, but is not limited to forcing a child to participate in prostitution or the
production of pornographic materials, as a result of being subjected to a threat, deception, coercion,
abduction, and force, abuse of authority, debt bondage, and fraud or through abuse of a victim’s
vulnerability.
2. Economic exploitation – refers to the use of the child in work or other activities for the benefit of
others. Economic exploitation involves a certain gain or profit through the production, distribution and
consumption of goods and services. This includes, but is not limited to, illegal child labor, as defined in
RA 9231.
3. And all other forms but not limited to Economic and Sexual Exploitation.

Violence against children committed in schools – refers to a single act or a series of acts committed by
school administrators, academic and non – academic personnel against a child, which result in or is likely to
result in physical, sexual, psychological harm or suffering, or other abuses including threats of such acts,
battery, assault, coercion, harassment or arbitrary deprivation of liberty. It includes, but is not limited to, the
following acts:

1. Physical Violence refers to acts that inflict bodily or physical harm. It introduces assigning
children to perform tasks which are hazardous to their physical well – being.
2. Sexual Violence refers to acts that are sexual in nature. It includes, but is not limited to:
a. Rape, sexual harassment, acts of lasciviousness, making demeaning and sexual suggestive
remarks, physically attacking the sexual parts of the victim’s body;
b. Forcing the child to watch obscene publications and indecent shows or forcing the child to do
indecent sexual acts and/or distribution of such films, indecent publication of material; and
c. Acts causing or attempting to cause the child to engage in any sexual activity by force, physical
or other harm or threat of physical or other harm or coercion, or through inducements, gifts or
favors.
3. Psychological violence refers to acts or omissions causing or likely to cause mental of emotional
suffering of the child, such as but not limited to intimidation, harassment, stalking, damage to

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 property, public ridicule or humiliation, deduction or threat of deduction from grade or merit as a
form of punishment, and repeated verbal abuse.
4. Other acts of violence of a physical, sexual or psychological nature that are prejudicial to the best
interest of the child
5. Corporal punishment – refers to a kind of punishment or penalty imposed for an alleged or actual
offense, which is carried out of inflicted, for the purpose of discipline training or control, by a
teacher, school administrator, an adult, or any other child who has been given or has assumed
authority or responsibility for punishment or discipline. It includes physical, humiliating or
degrading punishment.

o.1A Physical Abuse (ex. Spanking, Slapping, shaking, dragging, shoving, pinching and the like)
o.1B Pulling a child’s hair or ear
o.1C Squeezing a child’s cheeks
o.1D Lifting a child against the wall
o.1E Banging a child against the wall
o.1F Forcing a child to remain sitting, standing or motionless for a long period of time
o.1G Denying a child to use lavatory
o.1H Tapping a child’s mouth shut
o.1I Taping a child’s mouth
o.1J Denying adequate free time for recess or lunch
o.1K Threatening cursing or screaming at a child at a group of children
o.1L Insulting a child about poor performance, appearance etc.
o.1M Unauthorized confiscating or damaging a child’s personal property
o.1N Labelling or spreading malicious gossip about a child or a child’s family
o.1O Deliberately ignoring a child who needs help
o.1P Refusing to acknowledge or reward child’s improvement
o.1Q Using sarcasm and put-down when addressing a child
o.1R Punishing a group of children for the misbehaviour of an individual
o.1S Punishing individual as an example to the group
o.1T Leading a child into inappropriate intimate or sexually suggestive conversation or acts.
o.1U Pitting a child against child
o.1V Isolating a child from the group for a protracted period
o.1W Coercing a child to make false statements about others or remain silent about witnessed
events
o.1X Coercing a child to make a written confession
o.1Y Proclaiming to the whole class that a particular child is headed for no good that he or she
will become a delinquent or a failure
o.1Z Giving task beyond the responsibilities as student/student assistant (doing projects for personal
gain of the teacher /employee assigning errands especially outside the school.
o.1AA And all other forms of Child Abuse, Child Exploitation, Discrimination against Children and
Violence.

Sanctions for the Commission of Offenses

First offense

 Written reprimand
 Written apology
 Under probation by the Child Protection Committee (CPC) for such time and under such condition

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Second Offense

 Suspension for five (5) working days (for employee)

 Suspension for three (3) school days (for students)
 Issuance of final warning (written)

Third Offense

 Dismissal from the service depending on the gravity of offense

Note:

 Sanctions can be escalated to a higher level depending on the type and gravity of the offense. The
(CPC) Child Protection Committee has the right to give sanctions as it deems necessary to any
offenses committed even if this is not written in the manual.

BULLYING

Bullying or Peer Abuse – Refers to wilful aggressive behaviour that is directed, towards a particular victim who
may be out-numbered, younger, weak, with disability, less confident, or otherwise vulnerable. More
particularly:

1. Bullying – is when a student commits an act or a series of acts directed towards another student, or
a series of single acts directed towards several students in a school setting or a place of learning,
which results in physical and mental abuse, harassment, intimidation, and humiliation. Such acts
may consist of any one or more of the following:

a. Threats to inflict a wrong upon the person, honor or property of the person or on his or her
family;
b. Stalking or constantly following or pursuing a person in his or her daily activities, with
unwanted and obsessive attention;
c. Taking of property
d. Public humiliation, or public and malicious imputation of a crime or of vices or defects,
whether real or imaginary, or any act, omission, condition, status, or circumstances tending
to cause dishonour, discredit or expose a person to contempt;
e. Deliberate destruction or defacement of, or damage to the child’s property;
f. Physical violence committed upon a student, which may or may not result to harm or injury
with or without the aid of a weapon. Such violence may be in the form of mauling, hitting,
punching, kicking, throwing things at the student, pinching, spanking, or other similar acts;
g. Demanding or requiring sexual or monetary favors, or exacting money or property, from a
pupil or student; and
h. Restraining the liberty and freedom of a pupil or student.

2. Cyber Bullying – is any conduct defined in the preceding paragraph, as resulting in harassment,
intimidation, or humiliation, through electronic means or other technology, such as., but not limited to

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 texting, email, instant messaging, chatting, internet, social networking websites or other platforms or
formats.

Other acts of abuse by a pupil, student or learner – refers to other serious acts of abuse committed by a
pupil, student or learner of the same school, not falling under the definition of “bullying” in the preceding
provisions, including but not limited to acts of physical, sexual or psychological nature.

Category 1. DIRECT BULLYING

 (Physical) Hitting, spitting,punching, pushing, shoving, kicking, slapping, tickling, headlocks,

inflicting school pranks, fighting and the use of available objects as weapons etc.
 (Verbal) Name-calling, tormenting and commenting negatively on victims ‘looks clothes and body,
taunting, teasing, racial slurs, verbal sexual harassment etc.
 (Non-verbal) Threatening, obscene gestures

Category 2. INDIRECT BULLYING

 getting another person to assault someone

 spreading rumors
 deliberate exclusion from a group or activity
 Using Telephone, Cell Phone, Emails, & Web Sites in sending messages to destroy the person’s
reputation
 Writing malicious messages on wall, notebooks, books and other personal properties
 Unauthorized taking of pictures to ridicule another person
 Hiding belongings to make fun of a person
 And all other forms but not limited to direct or indirect bullying

Sanctions for the Commission of Offenses

First offense

 Oral Reprimand
 Under probation by the Child Protection Committee (CPC) for such time and under such condition
 Written Apology

Second offense

 Written Reprimand

Third Offense

 Suspension for Three (3) days

Note:

 Sanctions can be escalated to a higher level depending on the type and gravity of the offense. The
(CPC) Child Protection Committee has the right to give sanctions as it deems necessary to any
offenses committed even if this is not written in the manual.

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  4th offense onwards will be dealt with more severely

SEXUAL HARASSMENT

Sexual harassment –is bullying or coercion of a sexual nature, or the unwelcome or inappropriate
promise of rewards in exchange for sexual favors. It is unlawful to harass a person (an applicant or
employee) because of that person’s sex." Harassment can include "sexual harassment" or unwelcome
sexual advances, requests for sexual favours, and other verbal or physical harassment of a sexual nature.
For example, a man whistles at a woman when she walks by. Or a woman looks a man up and
down when he walks towards her.
SEXISM is an attitude. It is an attitude of a person of one sex that he or she is superior to a person of
the other sex.

For example, a man thinks that women are too emotional. Or a woman thinks that men are chauvinists.

SEX DISCRIMINATION is behaviour. It occurs when employment decisions are based on an

employee’s sex or when an employee is treated differently because of his or her sex.

For example, a female supervisor always asks the male employees, in a coed workplace, to move the
boxes of computer paper. Or, a male supervisor always asks the female employees, in a coed workplace
to plan office parties.
.
SUBTLE SEXUAL HARASSMENT is behaviour but not a legal term. It is
Unwelcome behaviour of a sexual nature that if allowed to continue could create a QUID PRO QUO
and/or a Hostile Work Environment for the recipient.

For example, unwelcome sexual comments, jokes, and innuendoes.

QUID PRO QUO HARASSMENT is when employment and/or employment

Decisions for an employee are based on that employees’ acceptance or rejection of unwelcome sexual
behaviour.

For example, a supervisor fires an employee because that employee will not go out with him or her.

The following are illustrative forms of sexual harassment:

(a)Physical

i. Malicious Touching;
ii. Overt sexual advances;
iii. Gestures with lewd insinuation.

(b)Verbal

iv. Such as but not limited to, requests or demands for sexual favors, and lurid remarks;

(c)Use of objects, pictures or graphics, letters or writing notes with sexual underpinnings;

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 (d) Other forms analogous to the foregoing.

CLASSIFICATION OF ACTS OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT

Sexual harassment is classified as grave, less grave and light offenses.

A.Grave Offenses shall include, but are not limited to:

1.Unwanted touching of private parts of the body (genitalia, buttocks and breast);
2. Sexual assault;
3. Malicious touching;
4.Requesting for sexual favor in exchange for employment, promotion, local or foreign travels, favorable
working conditions or assignments, a passing grade, the granting of honors or scholarship, or the grant of
benefits or payment of a stipend or allowance, and other analogous cases
5. Actual or attempted rape
6. Hugging and kissing
7. Neck massage
8.Unwanted deliberate touching, leaning over, cornering, or pinching
9.Touching or rubbing oneself sexually around another person

A. Less Grave Offenses shall include, but are not limited to:

1. Unwanted touching or brushing against a victim’s body;

2. Pinching not falling under grave offenses;
3. Derogatory or degrading remarks or innuendoes directed toward the members of one sex, or one’s sexual
orientation or used to describe a person;
4. Verbal abuse with sexual overtones; and
6. Unwanted sexual teasing, jokes, remarks, or questions.
7. Sexual comments.
8. Turning work discussions to sexual topics.
9. Personal questions about social or sexual life.
10. Asking about sexual fantasies, preferences, or history.
11. Standing close or brushing up against a person
13. Touching clothing, hair, or body
14. Telling lies or spreading rumors about a person's personal sex life

C. The following shall be considered Light Offenses but are not limited to;

1. Surreptitiously looking or staring a look of a person’s private part or worn undergarments;

2. telling sexist/smutty jokes or sending these through text, electronic mail or other similar means, causing
embarrassment or offense and carried out after the offender has been advised that they are offensive or
embarrassing or, even without such advise, when they are by their nature clearly embarrassing, offensive or
vulgar;
3. Malicious leering or ogling;
4. The display of sexually offensive pictures, materials or graffiti;
5. Unwelcome inquiries or comments about a person’s sex life;
6. Unwelcome sexual flirtation, advances, and propositions;

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7. Making offensive hand or body gestures;
8. Persistent unwanted attention with sexual overtones;
9. Unwelcome phone calls with sexual overtones causing discomfort, embarrassment, offense or insult to the
receiver; and
10. Unwanted sexual looks or gestures.
11.Referring to someone as a girl, hunk, doll, babe, or honey
12. Whistling at someone
13. Sexually suggestive signals
14. Facial expressions, winking, throwing kisses, or licking lips
15. Making sexual gestures with hands or through body movements.
16. Looking a person up and down (elevator eyes).
. Any person who is found guilty of sexual harassment shall, after the investigation, be meted the penalty
corresponding to the gravity and seriousness of the offense
.

Sanctions for the Commission of Offenses

A. Light offenses:

For Employee

1st offense – Written Reprimand

Under disciplinary probation
Written apology

2nd offense –Suspension not to exceed thirty (30) days

3rd offense – Dismissal

For Student
1st offense – Written Reprimand
Under disciplinary probation
Written apology

2nd offense –Suspension for five (5) school days

3rd offense – Expulsion/Non- readmission

B.Less grave offenses:

For Employee

1st offense – suspension of not less than thirty (30) days but not to exceed six (6) months
-Written apology
-Under disciplinary probation
2nd offense – Dismissal

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For Student

1st offense – Suspension for seven (7) school days

Written apology
Under disciplinary probation

2nd offense – Expulsion/Non- readmission

C.Grave offenses:

For Employee and Student

1st offense- Dismissal / Expulsion

Preventive Suspension- may be defined as temporary removal of employee charged for violation of institution
rules from his present status or position. Preventive suspension is usually imposed against subject employee
while the institution is conducting an investigation for his alleged violation in order to prevent him from causing
further harm or damage to the institution or his co-employees.

Note:

 If the respondent is found guilty of two or more charges or counts, the penalty to be imposed
should be that corresponding to the most serious charge or count and the rest shall be considered
as aggravating circumstances.
 Sanctions can be escalated to a higher level depending on the type and gravity of the offense. The
(CPC) Child Protection Committee has the right to recommend sanctions as it deems necessary to
any offenses committed even if this is not written in the manual.
 Any case filed against an employee which is a violation to the Child Protection Policy, preventive
suspension maybe imposed.
 A Student who was aggrieved of anti child protection and bullying policy should be referred by
CPC to the guidance counsellor for counselling or seek professional help if necessary
 Parents/Legal Guardians and guests who violate any of the child protection policies may be
banned from entering the school premises depending on the gravity of the case and necessary
actions will be undertaken.

VII. Procedure in the deliberation for Offense

Procedures:

1. A formal complaint/ incident report in writing under oath should be filed in the Discipline
Office by the aggrieved party or by any person having direct knowledge of the commission of
the act. The Discipline Coordinator will conduct preliminary investigation.
2. The Discipline coordinator evaluates the validity of the complaint. If the complaint can be
settled on the level of the DO, it will no longer be endorsed to the CPC but if the complaint
needs to be escalated the complaint will be endorsed to the CPC.
3. The Child Protection Committee will issue a memo to the offender and the offender is required
to file an answer under oath within three (3) days upon the receipt of the memo.

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 4. If the respondent fails or refuses to file his/her answer to the formal charge within seventy-two
(72) hours from receipt thereof without justifiable cause, he/she shall be considered to have
waived his right thereto and formal investigation may commence.
5. Investigation shall follow. The Child Protection Committee (CPC) shall conduct the
investigation or shall make the decision of the case. If during the preliminary investigation, the
respondent admits his guilt, this shall be put in writing and the case shall be terminated with
appropriate sanction
6. Upon receipt response from respondent the Committee shall send notice of hearing to both
parties.
7. Hearing shall be conducted by the CPC. Due process should be observed in the conduct of the
hearing.
8. Failure of the complainant to appear despite notice(s) is tantamount to the dismissal of the
complaint. Failure of respondent to appear despite notice(s), and without sufficient cause, shall
mean that the hearing shall proceed ex parte without prejudice to the appearance of the
respondent in subsequent hearings.
9. Hearing shall be conducted continuously within fifteen (15) working days from the date of
initial hearing and parties are allowed to only two (2) post postponement.
10. The CPC shall render a decision in writing stating the reasons for the decision. A copy of the
decision shall be furnished to all parties concerned; Immediate Head, VPAA, School
President, Complainant and respondent.
11. Appeal may be entertained to the Office of the President within five (5) days from receipt of
the decision, stating the grounds for appeal. If appeal is not pursued within the prescribed
period, the decision is final and immediate and executory.

Note:

The CPC reserves the right to amend the above mentioned policies, as it deems necessary.

We the CIC community governed by the Laws of the Land, adheres to its rulings and policies, encourages an
environment free from acts of child abuse, exploitation, violence, discrimination, bullying and other kinds of
abuse. We believe that:

 Every student has the right to experience learning without intimidation and threatening;
 Every student shall develop self discipline and self esteem through the school’s positive, non violent
disciplining method;
 Every student shall be protected from all kinds of abuse and bullying for him to build up his self
confidence;
 The CIC, through the school administration, should condemn any kind of abuse and violence against a
student and create steps in to prevent these from happening. Formulation of intervention programs and
capacity building programs should be put in place;
 Any student should not, in any manner, be subjected to corporal punishment in the process of
disciplining and training;
 All students should respect every individual as they respect themselves and should not commit and
tolerate bullying and peer violence;
 Parents should participate in awareness programs especially in on child protection, disciplining and
bullying;
 Visitors and guest should be made aware of the Child Protection policy and adhere to it;

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