I. Overview: “Verbal abuse” is real harm, even when there are no bruises

In Philippine law, verbal abuse and harassment against a minor (a person below 18) are not always labeled under one single crime called “verbal abuse.” Instead, the law treats harmful speech and conduct as psychological/emotional abuse, harassment, defamation, threats, bullying, gender-based sexual harassment, or other acts that debase a child’s dignity—depending on who did it, where it happened, what was said/done, how often, and its impact on the child.

This article maps the major criminal, civil, protective, and administrative remedies available in the Philippines, including school-based and online contexts, and explains the practical steps for reporting and evidence-building.

II. Key concepts and definitions (Philippine context)

A. Minor / child

A child is generally below 18 years old.

B. What counts as verbal abuse or harassment

Common examples include:

Humiliation, insults, name-calling, ridiculing, degrading comments
Persistent shouting, intimidation, or belittling
Threats (“Sasaktan kita,” “Ipapahamak kita,” “Ipo-post kita”)
Sexual comments, catcalling, lewd jokes directed at a minor
Repeated unwanted contact (messages, calls, DMs) designed to distress
Public shaming, “exposing,” doxxing, spreading rumors
Coercive language used to control a child (“If you leave, I’ll…,” “You’re worthless…”)
School bullying (in-person or online) that targets a minor’s dignity

C. Psychological/emotional harm matters

Philippine child-protection laws recognize that abuse can be psychological/emotional—not just physical or sexual. The child’s fear, anxiety, depression, trauma symptoms, inability to attend school, withdrawal, self-harm risk, or similar effects are relevant in building a case and selecting remedies.

III. The main laws used to address verbal abuse/harassment against minors

1) RA 7610 (Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act)

RA 7610 is the most important “umbrella” criminal law used when acts debase, degrade, or demean a child’s dignity or constitute emotional/psychological maltreatment.

How verbal abuse fits RA 7610

Even without physical contact, repeated or severe verbal attacks can be treated as:

Child abuse (including psychological/emotional maltreatment), and/or
Other acts of abuse that debase, degrade, or demean the intrinsic worth and dignity of a child.

When RA 7610 is commonly used

Caretaker/family household situations (parent, guardian, relative, live-in partner, household authority figure)
Adults humiliating or intimidating a child in ways that seriously harm dignity
Patterns of degrading behavior, public shaming, coercive humiliation

Why it matters: RA 7610 is generally stricter and child-centered, and cases involving children often receive more protective handling.

2) RA 9262 (Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act – VAWC)

If the victim is:

a woman, and/or
her child (minor or even older in certain dependency contexts),

and the offender is a:

husband/ex-husband, partner/ex-partner, or someone with a dating/sexual relationship, or a person with whom the woman has a child,

then verbal abuse often falls under psychological violence (including harassment, intimidation, threats, stalking-like behavior, public humiliation, and similar acts causing mental or emotional suffering).

The biggest advantage of RA 9262

It allows Protection Orders, which can quickly create enforceable restrictions, such as:

no contact / stay-away
removal from the home
orders to stop harassment
custody-related provisions (when appropriate)

Protection orders under RA 9262 include:

Barangay Protection Order (BPO) (typically for immediate protection, often focused on prohibiting violence/harassment)
Temporary Protection Order (TPO) and Permanent Protection Order (PPO) (court-issued)

Use RA 9262 when the abuser is within the VAWC relationship coverage. It is one of the fastest legal tools to stop ongoing harassment in domestic/intimate contexts.

3) RA 10627 (Anti-Bullying Act of 2013) + school child protection policies

For bullying in school (including certain off-campus or online acts if they create a hostile school environment), remedies are often administrative/school-based, and may also overlap with criminal laws when severe.

Bullying typically includes:

repeated verbal abuse, insults, humiliating remarks
social exclusion and rumor-spreading
cyberbullying affecting school life
threats or intimidation

Core remedy: report to the school so it activates its anti-bullying procedures, discipline, interventions, and protective measures. But: severe cases can still be referred to law enforcement and may be prosecuted under RA 7610, the Revised Penal Code, or cyber-related laws depending on the facts.

4) RA 11313 (Safe Spaces Act / “Bawal Bastos”)

If the conduct is gender-based sexual harassment, including against minors, RA 11313 may apply in:

streets/public spaces
public transport
online spaces
workplace and educational/training institutions (with duties on schools to prevent/respond)

Examples:

sexual remarks, catcalling, persistent sexual jokes, lewd comments
unwanted sexual attention via messages
sexual harassment in school settings

This law is especially relevant where the abuse is sexualized or gender-based, even if “only words” were used.

5) Revised Penal Code (RPC) and related crimes (often used alongside RA 7610/VAWC)

Depending on the content of the speech/conduct, these may apply:

a) Oral defamation (slander) or libel

If the offender falsely imputes a crime, vice, defect, or discreditable act to the child, or uses defamatory language that damages reputation.
If published online, this can overlap with cyber libel (see below).

b) Grave threats / light threats

If there is a threat to harm the child, family, property, or to expose/disgrace the child (depending on details).

c) Unjust vexation / coercion (fact-specific)

For conduct that annoys/torments without a more specific offense, or compels the child to do something against their will (depending on how the act is carried out).

d) Slander by deed

If the harassment is through acts that dishonor or humiliate (sometimes overlaps with child-protection frameworks).

6) Online harassment: RA 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act) + other relevant laws

When abuse happens through:

Facebook/Instagram/TikTok posts
Messenger/DM harassment
group chats
anonymous pages
doxxing or targeted online shaming

Possible legal hooks include:

cyber libel (if defamatory publication is online)
online threats, harassment patterns (often pursued using a combination of laws)
evidentiary support for RA 7610 / RA 9262 psychological violence
other statutes depending on the content (e.g., privacy-related violations)

Also relevant:

Data Privacy Act (RA 10173) in some doxxing/privacy invasion scenarios (highly fact-dependent)
Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism (RA 9995) if sexual images/videos are involved
Anti-Child Pornography (RA 9775) if content involves child sexual exploitation (this is severe and urgent—report immediately)

7) Civil Code remedies (damages, protection of dignity, privacy)

Even if criminal prosecution is not pursued, the child (through guardians) may seek civil remedies, such as:

Moral damages for emotional suffering
Exemplary damages in appropriate cases
Claims based on abuse of rights, quasi-delict, or violations of privacy, dignity, and peace of mind principles
Injunction-type relief may be sought in some contexts (often through broader civil actions)

Civil cases can complement criminal cases, but require strategy (time, cost, evidence, enforceability).

IV. Remedies by setting: home, school, community, online

A. If the abuser is a parent/guardian/household authority figure

Primary legal routes:

RA 7610 (child abuse / acts that demean a child’s dignity)
RA 9262 (if relationship qualifies under VAWC and the victim is the woman/child)
Child protection intervention through DSWD and local child protection mechanisms

Practical remedies that matter immediately:

Protection orders (if RA 9262 applies)
Referral to social worker for safety planning and protective custody interventions (when needed)
Criminal complaint through police/WCPD or prosecutor’s office

B. If it happens in school (student-to-student or teacher/staff-to-student)

Administrative/school remedies (usually the fastest):

Report to the school’s Child Protection Committee / anti-bullying office
Request protective measures: separation, no-contact directives, schedule adjustments, monitoring, counseling

If the offender is a teacher or staff:

Administrative cases can be filed within the school system and relevant authorities
Criminal laws may also apply if conduct is abusive, threatening, or sexually harassing

If the offender is another minor:

Schools can discipline and intervene
Criminal liability is complex due to juvenile justice rules (see Section VI)

C. If it happens in the community/public spaces

Possible routes:

Safe Spaces Act for gender-based sexual harassment
Threats/defamation provisions under the RPC
RA 7610 when conduct clearly degrades a child’s dignity or constitutes child abuse

Local-level remedies:

Barangay intervention may help in some interpersonal disputes, but serious child-abuse situations should be escalated to proper authorities.

D. If it happens online (cyberbullying, harassment, posting humiliating content)

Possible routes:

School process (if it affects schooling)
RA 7610 for child abuse/acts that demean dignity
Cyber-related complaints if defamatory publication or other cyber offenses apply
Safe Spaces Act if gender-based sexual harassment online

Practical relief:

Preserve evidence; report to platform; consider requesting assistance for takedown and account identification through lawful processes.

V. Where to file and who handles what

A. Law enforcement and child-protection desks

PNP Women and Children Protection Desk (WCPD): commonly handles child abuse, VAWC, sexual harassment concerns involving minors, and coordinates referrals.
NBI Cybercrime Division / PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group (for online components, depending on locality/practice).
Local social welfare office / DSWD: for child protection services, safety planning, counseling, possible shelter support, and coordination in child-at-risk cases.

B. Prosecutor’s Office (inquest/preliminary investigation)

Most criminal complaints proceed through the Office of the City/Provincial Prosecutor for evaluation and filing in court.

C. Courts (for protection orders and criminal prosecution)

Family Courts (or designated courts) often handle child-related cases.
Protection orders under RA 9262 are issued by courts (TPO/PPO), with some immediate relief at the barangay level (BPO) when applicable.

D. Schools

For bullying and school-related abuse:

Internal complaint procedures
Child protection mechanisms
Coordination with parents/guardians and authorities when needed

VI. Special considerations when the offender is also a minor (juvenile justice)

If the alleged offender is below 18:

The system prioritizes diversion and restorative justice where appropriate.
There are rules on minimum age of criminal responsibility and procedures under the juvenile justice framework.
Even where criminal prosecution is not pursued, protective and corrective measures can still be imposed (school discipline, supervision, counseling, diversion programs).

Important reality: A child victim can still obtain meaningful protection (no-contact measures, school adjustments, supervised environments, counseling, documented incident reporting), even when the offender is also a child.

VII. Evidence: what you should document (especially for verbal/online abuse)

Verbal abuse cases often succeed or fail on proof. Build a clean record:

A. For in-person incidents

Contemporaneous written account (date/time/place, exact words as remembered, who witnessed)
Witness statements (classmates, neighbors, relatives, staff)
Audio/video recordings where lawfully obtained (be careful: legality and admissibility can be fact-sensitive)
Medical/psychological records if the child shows trauma symptoms (consultation notes, counseling records)
School incident reports or barangay blotter entries

B. For online incidents

Screenshots showing:
- account name/URL (if possible)
- date/time stamps
- full conversation thread context
Screen recordings to show navigation and authenticity
Links and backups
If content is deleted, preserved copies become critical.

C. Why psychological impact evidence helps

Documentation of impact (sleep disruption, fear, school refusal, panic attacks, depression) supports:

psychological violence (RA 9262)
child abuse / dignity-degrading acts (RA 7610)
damages in civil actions
urgency for protective measures

VIII. Protection and safety measures you can request

Depending on which law applies and the facts, protective measures can include:

Under RA 9262 (VAWC)

No-contact / anti-harassment
Stay-away orders
Removal of offender from the home
Protection for the child and mother
Other family-related protective terms (case-dependent)

In school settings

Separation of victim and offender (class schedule/seat changes)
Supervised areas, safe reporting channels
Written undertakings/no-contact agreements (as part of school process)
Counseling and referral services

Community-based child protection

Social worker-led safety planning
Temporary safe shelter referral in urgent cases (when necessary)

IX. Choosing the right legal path: a practical “issue-spotting” guide

1) Is it within a domestic/intimate relationship covered by VAWC?

If yes, consider RA 9262 first for fast protection orders, plus possible criminal complaint for psychological violence.

2) Is the victim a child and the act clearly degrades/demeans their dignity or is abusive?

RA 7610 is often central.

3) Is it happening in school or affecting schooling?

Use Anti-Bullying mechanisms and school child protection policies immediately—these can stop ongoing harm fast. Criminal/civil routes can follow.

4) Is it gender-based sexual harassment (even “just words”)?

Consider Safe Spaces Act (and school obligations if within an educational setting).

5) Is it defamatory publication or threats?

Consider defamation/libel and/or threats (and if online, cyber-related options).

Often, multiple remedies apply at the same time. A common combination is:

School administrative action (immediate containment)

Police/WCPD report (documentation, referral)
Prosecutor complaint (criminal case)
Protection order (when RA 9262 applies)

X. Practical step-by-step: what a parent/guardian can do now

Ensure immediate safety: separate the child from the offender if there is ongoing risk.
Document everything: incident log, screenshots, witnesses, school reports.
Report through the fastest channel for the setting:
- School (bullying/teacher misconduct)
- WCPD / local police (child abuse, threats, harassment)
- Social welfare office/DSWD (child protection support)
Request protective measures:
- Protection order (if VAWC applies)
- School no-contact/separation measures
File the appropriate complaint:
- Prosecutor’s office for criminal cases (RA 7610/VAWC/RPC)
Support the child’s recovery:
- counseling/psych consult if needed (also supports the case evidentially)

XI. Important reminders and limitations

Not every rude remark becomes a criminal case, but repeated, targeted, degrading, threatening, sexualized, or power-imbalanced conduct against a child can cross legal thresholds quickly.
Speed matters when harassment is ongoing—protective and administrative remedies can stop harm sooner than a full criminal trial.
Children’s privacy is protected in many child-related proceedings; authorities often handle cases with confidentiality safeguards.
Strategy matters: choosing RA 7610 vs RA 9262 vs Safe Spaces vs school processes depends on facts. Many cases are strongest when remedies are combined.

XII. Quick examples (how laws typically map)

Parent repeatedly humiliates a child at home (“walang kwenta ka,” public shaming, intimidation) → RA 7610; possibly RA 9262 if relationship context fits.
Ex-partner harasses the mother and child with nonstop insults and threats → RA 9262 psychological violence; protection order.
Classmates repeatedly call a minor degrading names; group chat shaming → Anti-Bullying + school child protection; possibly RA 7610 depending on severity; cyber-related options if defamatory publication.
Adult catcalls a 15-year-old in public or sends sexual DMs → Safe Spaces Act; possibly other criminal statutes depending on content.
Someone posts false accusations about a minor online → defamation/cyber libel pathways + child-protection considerations.

If you want, tell me the scenario in one sentence (home / school / online; offender’s relationship to the child; what was said; frequency), and I’ll map the most likely strongest legal route and the best “first move” to stop it quickly.