BY: ROI ANTHONI B. LOMOTAN
DUMAGUETE CITY, Apr. 3 (PIA) – The Women and
Children’s Protection Desk (WCPD) of the Dumaguete City Police noted an
increase in the number of reported cases on physical abuse against women in
2013.
SPO1 Jinky Alalong, WCPD Chief of
the City PNP disclosed in a Kapihan Forum here that cases of physical
abuse against women rose to 283 last year with 91 persons arrested, 17 cases
filed to court and seven respondents who undergone inquest.
The figure is 153 cases higher
than the 130 recorded in 2012 with 54 persons arrested, 15 cases filed in
courts and 5 respondents who underwent inquest proceedings.
On the other hand, the number of women
who experienced psychological abuse in 2013 was reported to be at 162 cases
with 38 persons arrested, seven cases filed to courts and one respondent who
went through inquest.
Alalong said physical and psychological
abuses are the most common incidents of abuse against women reported to the
WCPD.
However, she clarified that the figures
went up because more women are empowered and became informed about their rights
and the laws that protect them from such abuses.
“These cases did not happen within 24
hours. The incident already happened in the past days, months or years before
they decided to report it. The 283 figure I mentioned were because many women
went out since they already know the laws that protect them,” Alalong said.
Most cases of abuse against women do
not totally flourish in courts since women opt to withdraw their complaints
against their husbands or partners who abused them, Alalong said.
One reason is because some of them are
not financially capable of supporting their families in case their
husbands/partners go to jail. Most women would request the release of their
husbands so that their family can earn their living.
In response, the Kalipunan ng Liping
Pilipina (KALIPI) Federation of the City Social Welfare Office Head Merlinda
Limbaga said the KALIPI encourages women, especially those who don’t have
income, to undergo skills trainings for better economic opportunities.
“Skills training can teach them
how to earn additional income and be independent from their husbands,” Limbaga
said.
Aside from this, Limbaga also suggests
that women should join women development groups. Joining these groups would
make them more informed on laws protecting women’s rights and it would open
opportunities for skills training and development seminars. With these, women
will be more empowered and escape becoming victims of abuse.
Moreover, Limbaga shared that KALIPI is
open for partnership with women development groups for the conduct of skills
training seminars.
She said they have already started conducting corned beef
processing seminar in some barangays in Dumaguete City for this summer.
(mbcn/RAL/PIA7-NEGOR)