'30 Filipino women suffer from domestic abuse daily'

MANILA, Philippines - Despite increased public awareness of laws protecting women’s rights, 30 Filipino women continue to suffer from domestic violence everyday, a non-government organization said yesterday.

Theresa Balayon, executive officer of the Women’s Crisis Center, said despite the existence of laws on women’s rights and protection, some women choose to remain silent.

She said the Women’s Crisis Center at the East Avenue Medical Center in Quezon City receives an average of 10 to 12 complaints of domestic abuse everyday, including cases of rape, incest and child abuse. Last year, the center received 10,482 reports of domestic violence.

The center provides counseling, educational training and legal assistance to victims of abuse.

The organization received yesterday a P200,000 donation from actress Ruffa Gutierrez, Avon cosmetics’ ambassador for domestic violence crusade.

Gutierrez herself was a victim of domestic violence. In 2007, she split up with her husband Ylmaz Bektas, gaining custody of their two daughters in the process.

Last year, Avon, a global direct selling and beauty company, launched the “Speak out against violence” campaign to raise awareness and funds to support the Women’s Crisis Center.

This year, the beauty company is providing cash assistance to three more non-profit organizations that help abused women and children. These are G-Wave in Dumaguete, IMA Foundation in Pampanga and LUNA in Davao.