A senior official of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) urged the public, particularly survivors of violence against women and children (VAWC), to report instances of abuse to relevant authorities so proper action can be taken.
“Marami pong unreported pa rin hanggang ngayon kaya natin tinitibag ang culture of silence ng ating mga biktima. Magsalita po kayo para matulungan namin kayo,” Director Aiza Riz Perez-Mendoza of the Office of the Undersecretary for International Affairs, and Attached and Supervised Agencies (ASAs) said during the DSWD Thursday Media Forum on November 28.
The public may report VAWC cases through the National Emergency Hotline at 911, the Aleng Pulis Hotline at 0919-777-7377 or 0966-725-5961, and the nearest Barangay VAW Desk and Philippine National Police (PNP) Women and Children Protection Desk.
Director Perez-Mendoza said the government is taking necessary steps to encourage
violence reporting by enhancing policies, making case reporting more accessible, and empowering more groups to apprehend the perpetrators.
“Ang mga programa natin ngayon ay towards breaking the culture of silence. Marami pong ginagawang programa ang mga ahensya ng gobyerno simula sa pagbaba nga mga VAW desks sa barangay, pagdagdag ng police visibility, pagdagdag ng power sa mga public utility vehicle drivers, security guards…” Director Perez-Mendoza told reporters.
Director Perez-Mendoza said that victim-survivors of VAWC can contact DSWD for appropriate interventions and services. The DSWD may refer those seeking legal assistance to organizations that provide legal services.
“Sa DSWD po, pwede po namin silang i-refer dahil may referral system po ang aming ahensya. Ire-refer po namin sila sa mga organisasyon na may kakayahan na tumulong at magbigay ng serbisyong legal,” Director Perez-Mendoza pointed out.
During the Media Forum, Social Welfare Officer (SWO) Carol Nuyda of the DSWD’s Program Management Bureau (PMB) said the agency is also offering counseling services to perpetrators to help prevent the use of violence.
“Sa programang ito, itinuturo natin kung papaano ba maaayos at ma-manage ng isang lalaki yung kanyang anger or outburst without using violence. Tinuturuan natin sila ng unlearning of old ways of using violence and using positive masculinity,” SWO Nuyda said.
SWO Nuyda urged individuals to break their silence and encouraged victims, witnesses, or anyone with knowledge of abuse cases to seek help and report them.
“Kung mayroon po tayong kakilala, kamag-anak, kaibigan, o kung tayo mismo ang nakaranas ng pang-aabuso, humingi po tayo ng tulong. Lahat po tayo ay may responsibility na tulungan ang kapwa natin, lalo na ang mga biktima ng VAWC,” SWO Nuyda said. # ((YADP)
Tagalog Version
DSWD urges public to “break the silence” by reporting cases of violence against women
A senior official of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) urged the public, particularly survivors of violence against women and children (VAWC), to report instances of abuse to relevant authorities so proper action can be taken.
“Marami pong unreported pa rin hanggang ngayon kaya natin tinitibag ang culture of silence ng ating mga biktima. Magsalita po kayo para matulungan namin kayo,” Director Aiza Riz Perez-Mendoza of the Office of the Undersecretary for International Affairs, and Attached and Supervised Agencies (ASAs) said during the DSWD Thursday Media Forum on November 28.
The public may report VAWC cases through the National Emergency Hotline at 911, the Aleng Pulis Hotline at 0919-777-7377 or 0966-725-5961, and the nearest Barangay VAW Desk and Philippine National Police (PNP) Women and Children Protection Desk.
Director Perez-Mendoza said the government is taking necessary steps to encourage
violence reporting by enhancing policies, making case reporting more accessible, and empowering more groups to apprehend the perpetrators.
“Ang mga programa natin ngayon ay towards breaking the culture of silence. Marami pong ginagawang programa ang mga ahensya ng gobyerno simula sa pagbaba nga mga VAW desks sa barangay, pagdagdag ng police visibility, pagdagdag ng power sa mga public utility vehicle drivers, security guards…” Director Perez-Mendoza told reporters.
Director Perez-Mendoza said that victim-survivors of VAWC can contact DSWD for appropriate interventions and services. The DSWD may refer those seeking legal assistance to organizations that provide legal services.
“Sa DSWD po, pwede po namin silang i-refer dahil may referral system po ang aming ahensya. Ire-refer po namin sila sa mga organisasyon na may kakayahan na tumulong at magbigay ng serbisyong legal,” Director Perez-Mendoza pointed out.
During the Media Forum, Social Welfare Officer (SWO) Carol Nuyda of the DSWD’s Program Management Bureau (PMB) said the agency is also offering counseling services to perpetrators to help prevent the use of violence.
“Sa programang ito, itinuturo natin kung papaano ba maaayos at ma-manage ng isang lalaki yung kanyang anger or outburst without using violence. Tinuturuan natin sila ng unlearning of old ways of using violence and using positive masculinity,” SWO Nuyda said.
SWO Nuyda urged individuals to break their silence and encouraged victims, witnesses, or anyone with knowledge of abuse cases to seek help and report them.
“Kung mayroon po tayong kakilala, kamag-anak, kaibigan, o kung tayo mismo ang nakaranas ng pang-aabuso, humingi po tayo ng tulong. Lahat po tayo ay may responsibility na tulungan ang kapwa natin, lalo na ang mga biktima ng VAWC,” SWO Nuyda said. # (MVC)
