For many Filipino children, experiencing violence at home is linked to disadvantages that can persist into adolescence. Using nationally representative longitudinal data, this Policy Note finds that nearly 2 in 5 children aged 10 reported experiencing physical or emotional violence from a parent. By age 14, children exposed to parental violence were significantly less likely to be enrolled in school, particularly among girls. While exposure was also associated with poorer performance in mathematics, reading, and science, these differences were not statistically significant after accounting for other factors.
To address these issues, the Note proposes the urgent need for ongoing, nationwide, multisectoral early intervention programs. Such programs should combine parenting education, school-based violence prevention initiatives, and community advocacy, while adopting gender-responsive approaches to meet the specific needs of boys and girls.
