Violence victims told to speak out, report abusers

MANILA – Victims of domestic violence, including rape, must end the cycle of abuse by speaking out, reporting to authorities, and availing of government assistance.

Data by the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) showed a notable 66.67 percent increase in violence against women and children (VAWC) cases — 145 cases from January to August this year as against 87 during the same period last year.

Director Brig. Gen. Antonio Yarra also reported at the online Quezon City Peace and Order Council meeting on September 23 a 21.54 percent increase in rape cases for the first eight months of the year — 158 this year against 130 in 2020. 

He said that among the contributing factors are pandemic-related lockdowns that forced people to stay at home and domestic conflicts due to financial difficulties.

Yarra said most of the reports involved physical (119 this year; 63 last year) and psychological (25 this year; 17 last year) abuses.

Alarmed over the numbers, Mayor Joy Belmonte advised victims to overcome their fear.

“Nakakabahala ang mataas na numerong ito ng mga kaso ng pang-aabuso. Hindi natin ito maaaring palampasin at kailangan gawan agad ng aksyon (This number of cases of abuse is disturbing. We cannot let this pass and we should act on it immediately),” Belmonte said in a statement on Monday.

She added homes are supposed to be safe spaces and free from all forms of violence.

Belmonte said the city government and QCPD will soon launch a unified information management system to facilitate monitoring and immediate investigation of VAWC cases.

“Kailangan natin paigtingin pa ang ating mga programa para sa kaligtasan ng mga biktima ng karahasan (We have to further intensify our programs for the safety of the victims of violence). We cannot let any QCitizen suffer from gender-based violence in Quezon City, especially during the pandemic,” she said.

Last year, the city government reopened the QC Protection Center that provides medical and legal assistance, and counseling for victim-survivors of gender-based violence and abuses.

The city also has a temporary shelter, Bahay Kanlungan, with 60 beds for women, children, and the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community members who want to escape violence and abuse in their homes.

Victims and their relatives may report abuses through the QC Protection Center Hotline 122 or to women’s desks of villages and the QCPD.