A week after creating a hotline, the Department of Education (DepEd) on Thursday, Sept. 15, said it has received "less than 20" reports of abuse against students.
In a press conference, DepEd Spokesperson Michael Poa said that the reports received by DepEd through its hotline are “being handled with utmost confidentiality.”
He added that the Office of the Education Secretary headed by Vice President Sara Duterte is also “reaching out” to those who have reported the alleged incidents of abuse.
DepEd, he added, has also been in touch with those who already filed complaints.
Recognizing that reporting experiences of sexual abuse and violence are “often hampered by fear and feeling of embarrassment,” DepEd opened a hotline for victim-survivors.
READ:
https://mb.com.ph/2022/09/08/deped-opens-direct-lines-for-victims-of-sexual-abuse-harassment-in-schools/
A week after, Poa said that DepEd has received “less than 20” reports or complaints regarding alleged abuses against students in schools.
Poa noted that the nature of reported violence against students was not limited to sexual harassment or abuse.
“There is also verbal and physical abuse,” Poa said in a mix of English and Filipino. Given this, he assured that DepEd is “on top” of the situation and is “directly communicating” with the complainants.
Last week, DepEd said that administrative charges have been filed against five teachers of Bacoor National High School (BHNS).
READ:
https://mb.com.ph/2022/09/08/deped-files-formal-charges-vs-5-cavite-teachers-accused-of-sexual-harassment/
Currently, Poa said the administrative proceedings against the accused teachers were “already ongoing.”
DepEd noted that seven teachers were originally identified in the BNHS issue. However, DepEd still cannot charge the remaining two due to “insufficient evidence.”
In July, DepEd sought the assistance of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) regarding the allegations of harassment and abuse at the Philippine High School for the Arts (PHSA).
READ:
https://mb.com.ph/2022/07/14/why-duterte-sought-nbis-help-on-phsa-abuse-allegations
Citing his last conversation with the NBI, Poa noted that in the cases of BNHS and PHSA, “lack of complainants and evidence” in the alleged sexual abuse cases against students remain a challenge.
Victim-survivors can send an email to [email protected] or call 8633-1942; 8635-9817 and 09959218461.