Baguio VAWC cases rising anew

Violence against women and their children (VAWC) cases in the city are on the rise that prompted the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) to closely work with the local government’s partners in bridging the gap on the reporting of the said cases.

CSWDO officer-in-charge Liza Bulayongan stated that for the first quarter of tis year, there were some 29 documented VAWC cases in the different parts of the city which is alarming.

She claimed that in partnership with networks, the CSWDO came up with a unified database for VAWC and even child abuse cases to ensure all cases are well attended and accounted at all levels from the barangay, hospital and police.

Among the initial services provided by the CSWDO to victims of VAWC cases include counseling of both the abused and abuser, temporary shelter for the abused and other assistance that will allow them to be able to hurdle their challenges in their lives and become stronger individuals in facing such difficult situations.

According to her, most of the VAWC cases being 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 stringent legal processes.

Bulayongan disclosed there are also instances when domestic problems are settled but close monitoring by the assigned social worker will be done to ensure that similar incidents will not be repeated that would cause the filing of complaints against the abusers.

When similar abuses will be committed by the abuser, the abused is often accorded the initial barangay protection order by the concerned barangay to prevent the abuser from getting near the abused until such time they will decide on what to do with their relationship. – Dexter A. See