Chief Justice Gesmundo Urges Family Court Judges to Build on Skill and Sensitivity, Secure Children’s General Welfare
January 26, 2024
Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo delivers the keynote message during the closing program of the two-day “Judicial Congress: A Townhall Meeting on Child Protective Strategies and Consultation on the Strengthening of Child Protective Topics” organized by the International Justice Mission Philippines for Family Court judges held at the Roma Salon, Manila Hotel on January 25-26, 2024. (Courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office)
“As the digital landscape continues to shift in the years ahead, threats and vulnerabilities will continue to find new forms; it is incumbent upon us, then, to keep pace with new technologies, to constantly upgrade our knowledge and capabilities, and to continue building on both skill and sensitivity so we can ensure unhampered access to courts and the efficient delivery of justice for those who need it the most—especially children.”
Thus, stressed Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo as a challenge to Family Court judges at the closing program of the Judicial Congress organized by the International Justice Mission (IJM) held at the Roma Salon, Manila Hotel on January 25-26, 2024.
The two-day event titled, “Judicial Congress: A Townhall Meeting on Child Protective Strategies and Consultation on the Strengthening of Child Protective Topics” is a follow up activity on the Online Judicial Round Table Discussion on Child Protection in Cases of Online Sexual Exploitation of Children or JRTD, held in October 2021.
In his keynote message during the closing program, the Chief Justice pointed out how online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC) worsened during the pandemic, citing that it even increased by nearly 265% at the height of the lockdowns. He further discussed that aside from poverty, the availability and ease of access to technology opened new threats and vulnerabilities for children, while perpetrators grew more sophisticated in their tools and approaches.
Chief Justice Gesmundo thus highlighted the importance of strengthening the skills of our judges in family law and took the opportunity to thank IJM for creating projects open for collaboration seeking to uphold the rights and advancing the welfare of children all over the nation. He expressed optimism that the judges will translate what they had learned to tangible improvements in how Family Courts can contribute to the protection and advancement of the rights and welfare of children.
The Chief Justice also commended the family court judges for their important work and assured them of the Court’s determination to bring to life the guarantees and protection for children under the Constitution and the laws, as well as extend the necessary support and assistance the judges need to dispense justice effectively and efficiently, especially for victim-survivors of child exploitation and abuse.
Furthermore, he shared how the projects under Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022-2027 (SPJI) or the Court’s blueprint for action are geared “to instill in the Judiciary an enduring spirit of reform—a mindset of continuous learning, improvement, and innovation; of being attuned to the development and evolving needs of society; of keeping in stride with advancements in technology and the opportunities and threats they bring, all towards ensuring that our people, especially those who are most vulnerable, are guaranteed the justice they deserve.”
The Chief Justice concluded his message by calling for a better and safe future for children: “Together, I have faith that we can bring about the future we dream of for our children—one where they can live and grow in security, dignity, and happiness.”
The Judicial Congress featured several sessions: Session 1: Trafficking of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM): Deep Dive; Session 2: Child Protective Mindset and Trauma Informed Care; Session 3.1: Presentation on Child-Protective Prosecution Strategies; Session 3.2: Discussion on Video In-Depth Disclosure Interviews (VIDI); and Session 4: An In-depth Discussion and Consultation on Child Protective Prosecution Strategies.
IJM is a global anti-slavery organization that protects people in poverty from violence by rescuing victims, bringing criminals to justice, restoring survivors to safety and strength, and helping local law enforcement build a safe future that lasts. (Courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office)
Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo receives a token and Certificate of Appreciation from Atty. Samson Inocencio, Jr., Regional Vice President for OSEC Hub and National Director of International Justice Mission (IJM) Philippines and Atty. Nelisa Guevara-Garcia, Director, National Prosecution Development, IJM Philippines after the Chief Justice delivered his keynote message on the last day of the two-day “Judicial Congress: A Townhall Meeting on Child Protective Strategies and Consultation on the Strengthening of Child Protective Topics” organized by IJM held at the Roma Salon, Manila Hotel on January 25-26, 2024. (Courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office)
Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo poses for posterity with Family Court Judges and International Justice Mission (IJM) officials and staff at the closing program of the two-day “Judicial Congress: A Townhall Meeting on Child Protective Strategies and Consultation on the Strengthening of Child Protective Topics” organized by IJM held at the Roma Salon, Manila Hotel on January 25-26, 2024. (Courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office)