Baguio posts 461 cases of abuse against women

BAGUIO CITY -- City Social Welfare and Development Office recorded 461 cases of abuse against women in this summer capital last year.
    CSWDO gender and development focal person Myrna Valencerina said of this number, 379 cases were unfiled and in various stages of counselling while 82 cases have already been filed against perpetrators.
    Topping the list of abuses against women was physical abuse with 310 cases followed by sexual abuse with 68 cases, psychological and emotional abuse at seven cases each and two economic abuse  cases.
    She added most number of victims of these forms of abuses were aged 21-30 years old with 154 cases followed by those in the 31-40 age bracket with 126 cases, 41-50 years old – 87 cases, 20 years old and below – 61 cases, 51-60 years old – 26 cases and 61 years old and above – 7 cases.
    Valencerina said most victims were provided counselling, particularly on psychological and marital crisis as part of city government program to help abused victims recover from difficult experiences from their abusers.
Aside from counselling, she reported the city government was also extending medical, financial and educational assistance not only to victims but members of their families depending on result of evaluation and assessment conducted by social welfare and development officers on the needs of the abused victims and their families.
    From January to March 8, the CSWDO recorded 52 cases of women in difficult circumstances coming from barangays.
    Valencerina said help had been provided to abused women and their families considering abuses did not only affect the victim but also their children.

She said in most cases, victims of the abuse and their abusers, particularly legally married husbands and wives, often reunite with each other after undergoing marital crisis counselling but monitoring is still being done to ensure their improved relationship and prevent repeat of abuses.

She said there were instances when victims and abusers part ways that pave the way for both parties to move on from such strained relationships which allows the CSWDO to extend more assistance to  victims and their children if necessary.

She urged abused women to immediately report these to the CSWDO so that they can be given assistance to allow them to move out of difficult situations that might endanger their lives. -- By Dexter A. See