On instructions by Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian, the Crisis Intervention Unit (CIU) of the agency’s Centra Office (CO) held a home visit in San Jose Del Monte City (SJDM) in Bulacan on Saturday (June 14) to assess the condition of the person with autism disorder who was physically abused inside a public utility bus.
Based from the initial report, a social worker from the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) of SJDM has already assisted the victim who underwent a medical check up at the Grace Medical Center.
The DSWD is currently coordinating with the local government unit (LGU) of SJDM for other possible interventions.
“We are looking into the possibility of referring the victim’s family for psychosocial support under the Wireless Mental Health and Psychosocial Support or WiSupport program and the provision of financial assistance,” Asst. Secretary Irene Dumlao, who is the DSWD spokesperson, said on Sunday (June 15).
The WiSupport program provides holistic services to clients in crisis, who may also be under extreme stress and experiencing anxiety, depression or other mental health issues.
Asst. Secretary Dumlao said the DSWD will also prioritize the victim’s therapy which was discontinued due to his family’s financial difficulties.
“During the home visitation, we also found out that the main source of his family’s livelihood is selling corn. This is not enough to support the victim’s therapy. We are now facilitating referral services to medical institutions or partner service providers to help the victim to continue his sessions,” the DSWD spokesperson pointed out.
Although the welfare of the victim is the priority, the Department will also explore how to provide assistance to the family relative to the filing of a criminal case.
The DSWD, in coordination with the LGU of SJDM, will continue to provide other forms of interventions to the victim and his family based on further assessment to ensure that they completely recover from the unfortunate incident. (AKDL)