The Women and Children’s Protection Desk 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, Kalipunan ng Liping Pilipina Federation head Merlinda Limbaga said they encourage 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 suggested that women join women development groups to make them more informed on laws protecting women’s rights. “It would open opportunities for skills training and development seminars. With these, women will be more empowered and escape becoming victims of abuse.”
Moreover, she said that KALIPI is open for partnership with women development groups for the conduct of skills training seminars. A corned beef processing seminar in some barangays in Dumaguete City have been scheduled for the summer. (mbcn/PIA7-NegOr)
