Abuse vs women more than doubled in 2013

CEBU, Philippines - There were more reported cases of violence against women in Cebu City in 2013 compared to the previous year.

In a Cebu City Police Office comparative report, 2013 saw a total of  863 women-related cases, which is 482 cases more, or an increase of 126.51 percent, compared to 381 in 2012.

The Women's and Children's Protection Desk, however, said this is not alarming since the 2013 figure is an overall collection of  women-related cases received by 11 police stations and the 80 barangays of the city.

 "Dili pa man synchronized before ang mga reported cases sa 2012. Naay ubang mga police reports sa barangay nga dili ma-report sa police stations or diri sa CCPO," she Police Officer 1 Nora Geramis.

CCPO started including cases that only reach the barangay in its crime statistics report only in 2013.

Comparing the first two months of 2014 with the same period in 2013, the CCPO report showed that there were 83 women-related cases last January compared to 85 cases in the same month last year; while there were 81 cases last month compared to 69 in February 2013.

Of the acts of violence against women in 2012 to 2013, physical injury, which is a violation of  Republic Act No. 9262 (Anti-Violence against Women and their Children Act of 2004) was highest with 340 incidents in 2012 and 755 in 2013.

Physical injury is followed by act of lasciviousness with 32, or 14 cases in 2012 and 18 in 2013. However, threat was second highest last year with 45.

Rape, on the other hand, increased from 13 in 2012 to 22 in 2013.

Other women-related cases are harassment, attempted rape, concubinage, psychological abuse, unjust vexation, oral defamation, adultery, and violations of the Anti-Photo and Voyeurism Act.

Geramis said they are constantly reminding the public to report to authorities all crimes.

She said women can report cases of violence directly to their barangays or to the nearest police station.

"If they are not comfortable with the two (barangay and police station), we still entertain their concerns here at CCPO," she said.

She admitted, though, that if women victims refuse to complain, authorities cannot do anything about the crime.

Geramis said they remain open to the possibility that the women and the suspect, who are often their husbands, would opt for amicable settlement or a compromise.

"Mas daghan ang magkauli kaysa nagbuwag. Usually, ganahan pa kaayo mo-file og kaso ang gi-abuse kay presko pa man ang hitabo. But maulian ra man pud kadugayan (In many cases, they settle their differences. They are adamant to file cases shortly after the abuse, but usually change their mind in the long run)," she said.

 Geramis said they often advise women to prioritize the welfare of the family as much as possible, especially if  the victim is financially dependent on her partner.

But if the abuse worsens, she said, it is best for the women to seek help from the authorities, adding that women should fight for their rights. — (FREEMAN)