Intervention and assistance to prevent violence against women should begin at the barangay level, retired national police chief and senatorial candidate Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar said on Saturday, March 19.

He explained that normally, neighbors and barangay officials are aware who among their community are victims of domestic violence and it is in the barangay where women usually see assistance first.

" A lot of women would prefer being silent instead of seeking help because of the misconception that this is an internal problem and in some cases, they are afraid and would feel embarrassed if the entire community would know that they are being abused," said Eleazar.

He said he has numerous personal experiences of this domestic abuse when he was still in the police service.

In some instances, the local police would only know a case of domestic violence once the victim is hospitalized, or in worse cases, are killed by their male partners.

"If there is an existing women and children protection desk in the police stations, let us also do it at the barangay level. This will help in doing away with the misconception among the the barangay officials that domestic violence is something that they could not meddle. They should be pro-active on this," said Eleazar.

Eleazar’s highlighted the need for intervention and tougher measures against violence against women after actress Ana Jalandoni was physically abused by her boyfriend, actor Kit Thompson. Photos have circulated showing the victim’s face full of bruises.

"This kind of person does not deserve to be loved by women. He must be projecting that he is a tough guy so if that is the case, why not pick on someone with his own size and gender?," said Eleazar.

Eleazar said that women should neither be afraid nor feel embarrassed to seek assistance if they are victims of domestic violence, threats and other forms of harassment.