The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) ensured that it will continue to implement its protective programs and services for victim-survivors of violence against women and children (VAWC) despite the community quarantine restrictions and the threat of COVID-19.
According to data from the Philippine National Police (PNP), which President Rodrigo R. Duterte reported in his 11th Report to the Joint Congressional Oversight Committee, a total of 1,945 cases of violence against women and 1,754 cases of violence against children were reported since the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
As a national government agency and the lead in social protection, DSWD assists local governments units (LGUs) in the provision of social welfare and development programs and services to their constituents, including those who have been victims of abuse. The Department provides technical assistance and resource augmentation to Local Social Welfare and Development Offices so they can better respond to the needs of the disadvantaged sectors in their localities.
DSWD also implements programs and interventions that may be provided to victim-survivors of abuse, including psychosocial care; psychosocial counseling; psychological/ psychiatric tests; provision of professional health services; referral for medico-legal examination; provision of mechanisms for protection from mental, emotional, physical, sexual abuse, and other forms of exploitation; provision of clothing and personal items; legal and paralegal assistance; and referral or transfer to any DSWD, LGU, or registered and licensed private residential care facility for temporary shelter or protective custody.
The Department also has centers and residential care facilities that provide temporary shelter and protective custody to women and children in need of special protection, such as the Marillac Hills and the Haven for Women located in the National Capital Region. Other DSWD Field Offices around the country also maintains their own facilities for women and children.
As head of the Inter-Agency Council on Violence Against Women and Their Children (IAC-VAWC), DSWD is also calling on the Council’s member-agencies and service providers to continue implementing the existing programs and services aimed at protecting the victim-survivors of abuse.
The public may report and/or refer VAWC victims to the following service providers:
POLICE/INVESTIGATION ASSISTANCE
PNP Hotline: 177
Aleng Pulis Hotline: (+63) 919 777 7377
PNP-Women and Children Protection Center (WCPC)
24/7 AVAWCD Office: 8532-6690
Email: wcpc_pnp@yahoo.com / wcpc_vawcd@yahoo.com / avawcd.wcpc@pnp.gov.ph
WCPD Directory: https://tinyurl.com/r8d6wjl
NBI-Violence Against Women and Children Desk (VAWCD)
Hotline: (02) 8525-6028
Email: vawcd@nbi.gov.ph
PSYCHOSOCIAL ASSISTANCE
Department of Social Welfare and Development
Text Hotline: 0918-912-2813
Trunk line: (02) 8931-8101 to 07
DSWD –NCR Ugnayan Pag-asa Crisis Intervention Center
Hotlines: (02) 8734-8639 / (02) 8734-8654 / (02) 8734-8626 to 27
DSWD Community-Based Services Section (CBSS)
Hotline: (02) 8733-0010 to 18 loc. 116
LEGAL ASSISTANCE
Public Attorney’s Office (PAO)
02) 8929-9436 local 106, 107 or 159 (Local “0” for operator
Mobile: (+63) 939-3233665
email: pao_executive@yahoo.com
Directory of District Offices: https://tinyurl.com/yytqxsys
MEDICAL ASSISTANCE
Women and Children Protection Units
Directory: https://www.childprotectionnetwork.org/wcpu-directory/
National Center for Mental Health (NCMH)
Crisis hotline: (02) 8989-8727 / 09178998727
REFERRAL SERVICES
Inter-Agency Council on Violence Against Women and Their Children
Landline: (02) 8735-1654 loc. 122 / (02) 8733-6611
Mobile numbers: 09178671907 / 09178748961
Email address: iacvawc@pcw.gov.ph
DIRECTORY OF BARANGAY OFFICIALS
Link: https://www.dilg.gov.ph/barangay-officials-directory/search
###
