DAVAO CITY – Financial and social strains have resulted to fewer successful prosecutions in violence against women and children cases, the Police Regional Office-11 (Davao) reported on March 6, Wednesday.

POLICE Regional Office-11 spokesperson Police Major Catherine dela Rey talks about VAWC in line with Women's Month celebration during the Armed Forces-Philippine National Police press conference in Davao City on March 6. (Ivy Tejano)

In a press conference at the Royal Mandaya Hotel, PRO-Davao spokesperson Police Major Catherin dela Rey said that most VAWC cases tend to retract due to the complainant’s financial and social strain.

“We’ve noticed that it has been a cycle for women involved in the case to file a complaint against the offenders. The next day, they forgive them because they heavily depend on their husband or partner,” Dela Rey said.

She added that such a cycle is a problem because the offender can just go freely, and there is also a tendency for them to commit the same offense again, which might become a habit unsuitable for women and their children.

The Davao City Integrated Gender and Development Division (IGDD) documented more than 200 instances of violence against women and children in the past two months here this year. At least five percent of these cases were pursued legally.

In 2023, the IGDD documented 2,707 VAWC cases, a 68.86 percent increase from the 1,864 in 2022. Most of these cases were physical abuse, emotional abuse, and sexual abuse.

Highlighting the importance of gender equality and acknowledging the indispensable roles played by women across diverse fields, the government urged women suffering from any abuse to stand up for themselves and their children and fight for their rights.

“We assure that the government is always there to help. We have the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) to assist women who want to file a case, and it is for free,” Dela Rey said.

In line with the Women’s Month celebration, the PRO-11 spokesperson said the regional office had prepared various activities for women and their children. She added that they would disseminate information reminding women of their and children’s rights.

Dr. Gladies Rioferio, chairperson of the Committee on Maternal-Perinatal Welfare and member of the Philippine Obstetrical and Gynecological Society (POGS), encouraged the victims to have a checkup and take a psychological test at the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) here.

Rioferio invited all pregnant women in this city to attend the Buntis Day Celebration – an activity in line with Women's Month – at NCCC VP Plaza Mall on March 10. She said they will hold a VAWC Forum aside from the limited free screening and other activities for all pregnant women.