Olongapo students undergo sexual harassment seminar

OLONGAPO CITY, Philippines – In an effort to protect the youth from sexual predators, a coalition of local government and private agencies in this city joined hands in conducting a seminar-workshop on sexual harassment, which was held recently at the Olongapo City Convention Center.

Acting as primary resource speaker, lawyer Randy Escolango, deputy administrator for legal affairs of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, gave the student participants a holistic view of sexual harassment, explaining how one becomes a victim and where to report such malicious acts.

With the theme “Be Aware, Be Protected, Be Empowered,” the seminar-workshop, sponsored by the College of Education of Gordon College, aimed to broaden the students’ understanding about the different kinds of sexual harassment and help protect them from these acts.

“The seminar aims to promote awareness among students of this societal issue,” said Prof. Arlida Pame, Gordon College president. “It is important that the students know their rights and avoid falling prey to sexual abuse.”

Dean Leby Fastidio of the College of Education said more than 1,500 students and faculty members attended the seminar, whose other speakers were Rogelio del Rosario, provincial director of the Civil Service Commission, and a representative of PREDA Foundation, a civic-advocacy organization working for the protection and welfare of women and children.