Commission on Human Rights (INQUIRER FILE PHOTO)
MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Friday called on all sectors to cooperate with existing actions against gender-based violence, especially during the digital age.
The CHR made the pronouncement as it commended the activation of the “AlengPulis with the CyberSquad,” a virtual helpline of the Philippine National Police (PNP) for women and children who experience abuse, violence, and concerns related to their safety, protection, and empowerment.
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“To ensure the success of this initiative, CHR calls upon all sectors to actively support and cooperate with the PNP in their effort to combat gender-based violence,” said the CHR in a statement.
Addressing violence online, offline
“For our part, CHR shall monitor the implementation of this program alongside our continuing investigation and advocacy efforts that seek to address gender-based violence online and offline,” the statement added.
According to the CHR, gender-based violence continues to be a “deeply alarming issue,” which impacts countless individuals, particularly women and children, especially in the digital age.
“Our increasingly digital world has unfortunately provided new platforms for abuse and exploitation, which heighten the vulnerability of the aforementioned sectors,” said the CHR.
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Hesitancy
Additionally, it also noted that victims of gender-based abuse and violence continue to be hesitant to seek help due to shame and stigma.
Because of this, the CHR stressed that it is the responsibility of the government to be able to stay ahead of those who exploit vulnerable individuals through online platforms.
The CHR said actions like the PNP’s helpline leverage various channels, including social media platforms, to provide accessible assistance to those in need and enable them to seek help and guidance in times of distress.