CHR comes to battered woman’s aid

Women are not safe even in their homes and from their own loved ones any more.

This was highlighted on Monday after the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) came to the aid of a 28-year-old woman who was allegedly beaten up by her partner over a five-month period.

The CHR assisted her in lodging a complaint for violence against women against her 21-year-old partner from whom she escaped recently.

CHR Chairperson Loretta Rosales said women being abused by their loved ones had an option, which was to seek help from the human rights commission.

The CHR is the Ombudsman for women under the Magna Carta of Women.

“Definitely, the CHR will give primary focus on this particular issue. It’s a clear example of violence against women,” Rosales said, adding that it was fitting to take up the issue since the country was celebrating International Women’s Month this March.

The 28-year-old woman, who was identified only as Kayla (not her real name), will be provided counseling as well.

The woman went to the CHR on Monday bearing signs of abuse. She had scratches and bruises on both her arms and legs.

According to human rights commissioner Coco Quisumbing, cases of women being abused by their spouses, partners and loved ones were becoming all too frequent, and this latest case illustrated the problem.

“She is one of thousands of women battered in their homes by people they love,” she said.  Leila B. Salaverria