Cases of violence against women and their children (VAWC) in the city are rising, which is why the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) will work with the local government’s partners in bridging the gap on the reporting of cases.
CSWDO Officer-in-Charge Liza Bulayungan said for the first quarter of this year, there were 29 documented VAWC cases in the city, which she said is alarming.
She said in partnership with networks, the CSWDO came up with a unified database for VAWC and child abuse cases to ensure all cases are well attended and accounted at all levels from the barangay, hospitals, and police.
Initial services provided by the CSWDO to victims of VAWC cases include counseling of the abused and abuser, provision of temporary shelter for the abused and other assistance that will allow them to hurdle the challenges in their lives and become stronger individuals in facing difficult situations.
She said most of the VAWC cases reported to their office are physical abuse, psychological abuse, economic abuse, and sexual abuse although there also many cases that are often solved within their level while others undergo the legal processes.
Bulayungan said there are also instances when domestic problems are settled but the assigned social worker is closely monitoring the case to ensure that similar incidents will not be repeated.
When the abuser commits similar abuses, the abused is often accorded the initial barangay protection order until such time the parties decide on what to do with their relationship. – PIO release
