Domestic violence cases up in Central Visayas

DOMESTIC violence cases involving women and children went up in the first two months of this year compared to the same period in the past two years, police officials said yesterday.

The Women and Children’s Protection Desk (WCPD) of the the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7) reported 260 cases of violence against children in January to February compared to 246 in 2011 and 257 in 2010.

“The cases of violence against women and children increased because a lot of children will go to the police and complain,” Senior Insp. Rosefiela Santolorin of the WCPD-7 told reporters in yesterday’s forum.

Santolorin said the cases include rape, acts of lasciviousness, physical injuries, abduction, kidnapping, trafficking, maltreatment and psychological abuse among others.

The WCPD-7 reported 311 cases of violence against women in January to February this year, slightly lower than the 369 cases in 2011 and 287 cases in 2010.

Again, Santolorin said the numbers reflect the growing awareness and willingness of women to report cases of abuse and violence to the police.

Santolorin said they will intensify their campaign against domestic violence in the grassroots level in keeping with the implementation of Republic Act (R.A.) 9710 or the Magna Carta for Women.

The law pushes women’s human rights by eliminating discrimination and recognizing, protecting and promoting their welfare especially those in the marginalized sectors.

“We will educate women in the barangays on how to file a complaint against the perpetrators,” Santolorin said in Cebuano.   A 17-year-old girl was rescued by the Balamban police from a relative who allegedly abducted her.

The 17-year-old girl’s aunt asked help from the police and is now under the custody of social workers.

Police said they have yet to confirm reports that the girl was sexually and physically abused.