By Tara Yap
ILOILO CITY - Cases of violence against women (VAW) has dropped significantly in Western Visayas.
Data from the Women and Children Protection Desk of Police Regional Office (PRO-6) indicated a 60 percent drop in VAW cases.
From 3,883 VAW cases recorded between January and October 2017, there are only 1,540 cases recorded for the same period this year.
For the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the decrease of VAW cases in the region is a manifestation of the stronger advocacy by different public and private groups to stop VAW.
“There has been an improved awareness that violence against women must never be tolerated,” said DSWD-6 Information Officer May Rago Castillo.
While there is a significant drop, the advocacy should not stop in Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, and Negros Occidental.
“We believe there are still victims who are hiding behind closed doors. They are afraid to seek help and we want them to know they can seek help,” urged Castillo.