POVERTY and unemployment are still the top causes of the increasing violence against women and children in Cebu City.
“Every now and then, we have been trying to reach out to various barangays in Cebu City to conduct information drive. We also visit schools. This is to make the community aware especially the women sector that they also have rights and these rights should be protected,” said Chief Insp. Arieza Otida.
Otida, who heads the Women and Children’s Protection Desk (WCPD) of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), said that for violence against women specifically physical injuries, there were 568 incidents in 2014 and it rose to 846 in 2015.
“Based on our interviews and complainants here in Cebu City, poverty is still the main reason followed by unemployment. It’s when the couple having difficulties in money that often results to violence. The increasing population in the city is also another thing,” said Otida in a press briefing yesterday.
There was also an increase in violence against children. There were 254 incidents involving children as victims in 2014 and it increased to 374 last year.
In the country, Republic Act 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004 declares that the state values the protection of the dignity of the women and children in full respect of human rights.
“This should be a guide for every parent, in protecting their loved ones,” said Otida.
However, Otida said protecting the women and children from violence has been a challenging case especially in Cebu City.
Otida said some women would report the abuses committed by their partners only to have the case settled in the end.
“Most women are unemployed, they are dependent on their husbands. They have this thinking that they are responsible in keeping the family intact so they would often forgive their husbands (after suffering from an abusive behavior),” she said.
Otida said it has become a cycle that most women who fell victims to abuse would often not pursue filing of charges.
As part of the celebration of the Women’s Month this March, WCPD of CCPO has initiated a Search for Empowered Woman whose winner will come from the representatives of the 11 Cebu City Police Stations.