Cases involving women, children piling up

A TOTAL OF 134 victims of violence against women and children have sought the help of the provincial government since December last year.

Hedda Largo, gender and development officer of the Provincial Women’s Commission (PWC), said the number only grows bigger.

“At present, we are handling more or less 140 cases,” she told reporters during the weekly Kapistorya forum yesterday.

The complainants, composed of adult and young victims, were either raped, trafficked, prostituted or abused, among others.

For children, child abuse is the most common complaint while physical abuse is the most common for adult women.

PWC as well as the Provincial Council for the Welfare of Children (PCWC) facilitate psycho-social intervention and oversee legal action, should the victims choose to press charges.

“So far, no case has been dismissed yet. There are some that have been pending for a long time already. During this time, the courts are having an inventory of their cases so that may explain why some of our cases are lying low at the moment,” said Largo.

Both the PWC and PCWC are chaired by Gov. Hilario Davide III and co-chaired by Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale.

Out of more than 140 cases handled by the province, two of these involve  perpetrators who were already convicted. Another one is about to be resolved.

However, Largo said she cannot divulge more details regarding the cases in order not to jeopardize the safety of the victims and their families.

Largo said it is the PWC and PCWC’s roles to make sure the perpetrators are charged, the victims are brought to appropriate institutions for psycho-social intervention, the parents are informed and that all of these are followed up regularly.

PCWC, meanwhile, also handles cases involving children in conflict with the law.

The most recent case handled by the PCWC in relation to CICLs was that of the underage “beautiful shoplifter” from Sogod, southern Leyte.

For more than three months, the PCWC made sure she was cared for in a shelter in Metro Cebu and that she underwent psychological intervention following her brush with the law.

Largo said that most, if not all, who seek Capitol’s help are victims who cannot afford legal counsel.

“If they can afford their own lawyers, then that case won’t reach us. It’ll only be left with the police,” said Largo.

Republic Act No. 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Act of 2004 was passed to protect women and children who experience abuse or violence.