Many cases of violence against women (VAW) remain unreported due the belief that speaking up would not make a difference. This is called the culture of silence.
Apart from the fear of speaking up, the culture of silence also stems back to the public’s blatant dismissal or sometimes lack of interest to properly address the victims’ ordeal. These scenarios usually push women victims to be “ashamed to relate their experiences” as pointed out by the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW).
In order to break this stigma, Filipinos should not turn a blind eye over VAW. Instead, they were told to speak up and support VAW survivors.
“We have to promote awareness. We have to let women know rights under the law. Of course, we also want to encourage , not only the victim, to report, crime being committed,” said PCW Executive Director Kristine Yuzon-Chaves on Friday, Nov. 25 in a mix of English and Filipino.
Citing the social experiment presented during the kick-off ceremony of this year’s 18-day Campaign to End VAW, Yuzon-Chaves reiterated that many Filipinos, preceded by fear, still refused to meddle and take an action even if the “acts of violence” were already happening in front of them.
This further prompted PCW to encourage the public to speak up.
Data from the Philippine National Police (PNP), as disclosed by PCW, showed that over 12,000 cases of VAW were reported in 2021. In the first half of 2022, on the other hand, VAW cases in the Philippines already hit 5,339.
Seeking help
According to UN Women or the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, less than 40 percent of VAW survivors ask for help of any sort. This should not be the case as there are various ways to seek help.
“We encourage them to go to the nearest barangay, police station, or if not they can call any of the hotlines that we have. PCW , the Commission on Human Rights, PNP, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) – and actually, 911. VAW is now listed as an emergency and anyone can call 911,” said Yuzon-Chaves.
PCW likewise encouraged victims to seek help from their friends or family, highlighting the importance of “moral and emotional support” when breaking away from the cycle of violence.
“Those who are abused physically and sexually, we also advise them to go to the nearest hospital to undergo medico-legal. They need this if they will pursue a case against the perpetrator,” she furthered.