Lagarteja, Regrine B.

2013-88648
On Women and Child Protection Program
Women and child abuse has long been an issue. Ever since the
Spanish times, we can read through the history that women are being
abused, not only by the soldiers, but by the priests themselves. We can
hear the tales of the old women staying at geriatric homes how the
Japanese abused them during the war. And yet, it is only recently that we
come to address this problem.
I, myself, have been a victim of abuse. My ex used to verbally abuse
me, at the start, how he discourages me, that I cannot do things without
him. How he always makes me feel that he is better than me. How he
would show to my face that I am not capable of doing some things. How
he threatens to leave me if I fill not follow his commands. Telling me that I
should not pursue medicine because I cant do it. I started to feel that I
am losing my sense of freedom.
Then it escalated to physical abuse, wherein he drags me every
time his wishes are not granted, slaps me when I blurt out my complains,
my feelings, every time that I cannot control my emotions anymore. Pulls
my hair every time I try to walk away from him, and even force me to go
to their house, to stay at one room even if I refuse to. But then, I stayed
because he always tells me that hes just doing it to teach me, because he
loves me. And I was convinced by the promises he makes, every time.
Though there were not physical signs of itno bruise, no marks, the pain
lingers, and it aches me every time I remember it. I tried to endure it for
more than four years before I had the courage and the dedication to go
away. When I decided to go away, he would threaten me--that he will say
things, to destroy my honor, to my mom, and to people around meto
ruin my character and the little dignity that I have left for myself. And to
top it all off, I felt that I had no one to hold on to, because I am too afraid
to be judged.
Upon reading the background and rationale of the women and child
protection program, I have noticed that it is focused on physical abuse,
and if there is manifestations of it. How about for victims like me, who
were verbally abused, who were hurt, but there is no physical
manifestation of pain? It is as if theyre saying that the ones who have
physical signs hurt more than those who have no signs of it. Women are
not empowered because they feel that it is not okay to act, because if
there were no signs of it, how can you even prove you were abused?
There is more to violence other than just the physical signs of it.
Also, there are only 38 WCPUs throughout the Philippines. How can
we reach the far areas, the women who cannot personally come to
WCPUs. There are a lot of women who cannot reach them because theyre
simply just too far. Also, I suggest that Women and Child Program should
not only empower women and their children. The whole community must
be empowered, because there are times that women cannot do it

themselves. They need someone who will tell them that they should
report it, and their partners must face the consequences of their actions.
Another observation is that the WCPU workers are only working
part-time. It gives the feeling and the notion that women and child care
program is not something that we should prioritize. Its as if it is a save
for later agenda, since the workers are only working part time. This
diminishes the report rates and the probability that cases will be filed
because sometimes, abuse comes at an unholy time; say after work, or in
the middle of the night. WCPU workers must work full-time, available for
women and children round the clock.
They WCPU workers are discouraged to work as WCPU workers
because they are not classified as regulars. Who would be encouraged to
work in a WCPU if you are not well compensated and well covered? These
workers are of the same importance as other DOH staff, and they have
some dangers to face since they are the confidants of these abused
women. Abusers might go after them, and threaten them, to encourage
their partners to retract their claims. So aside from just compensation and
recognition, they must be given proper security, and privacy.
Having no standard quality of service is also a question. These
women who go to WCPU are physically, emotionally, and psychologically
damaged. They are hurt. If a harsh WCPU worker will nag at them, would
other women be encouraged to report abuse cases? Standard procedures,
attitudes, and processes must be made to ensure that women who come
to WCPUs will feel secured and less ashamed of themselves. After all, they
went there to seek care, not to be pointed at, to be mad at, or to be scold
at. They need care, assurance, and a caring environment so that they can
voice out their concerns more confidently.
I also suggest that once a woman files a case, it must not be pulled
out. Because if they continue the habit of filing then pulling it out, the
police might lose the stimulus and the momentum of being vigilant in
cases like these. They must encourage women to file, and guide them
through the process.
Doctors, allied medical professionals, and social workers who have
seen the physical manifestations of abuse, or anything that they see that
might point out to abuse. Women and Child Care Program must be
integrated to the curriculum of the allied health professionals so that they
could understand the program and further contribute to the effectiveness
of the program. I, myself, am a member of the allied health professionals
(being a medical technologist), and yet I have been a victim of abuse, so it
is really important that we have the right information and the right
motivation to help women in reporting cases like these. I have seen urine
samples positive for sperm, which is a strong evidence of abuse, and yet, I
was never summoned to testify, to prove that that child indeed, is a victim
of sexual abuse.
Abused women also have needsneeds beyond what stethoscopes
and x-rays can detect. Needs that cannot be quantitated as normal, or
above and below levels. We should all work together to minimize and in
the longer run eliminate the abuse of women and their children. Programs

are just programs if they are not enacted well. Revisions must be made to
ensure that they are given the care that they deserve.