Child Protection Interventions in the Philippines – A Scoping Review

Abstract

This scoping review systematically maps the existing evidence base on child protection initiatives and interventions in the Philippines. Recognizing the critical importance of safeguarding children from all forms of abuse, neglect, exploitation, and violence, this study aims to identify, characterize, and synthesize the available literature on child protection policies, programs, and their implementation within the Philippine context. Utilizing a comprehensive search strategy across multiple databases, the review examines diverse types of evidence, including research studies, policy analyses, and program evaluations. Key areas of focus include the effectiveness of intervention programs for children-in-conflict with the law (CICL) and child abuse survivors, the implementation of child protection policies in schools and local communities, and the awareness and responsiveness of various stakeholders. The findings reveal a growing body of localized evidence, highlighting both strengths in policy frameworks and persistent challenges in their consistent and effective implementation. This review identifies significant gaps in the evidence base, particularly concerning rigorous impact evaluations and the generalizability of findings, underscoring the urgent need for more robust, evidence-informed research to strengthen child protection systems across the archipelago.