18-day campaign vs abuse kicks off

MANILA, Philippines —  To end all forms of violence against women and children, an 18-day campaign commenced yesterday, November 25, 2024, highlighting the alarming rise in abuse cases in Central Visayas.

This campaign, which runs from November 25 to December 12, not only seeks to empower victims but also encourages them to seek help with government agencies and other non-government organizations (NGOs).

During the Kapihan sa PIA, Dr. Glory Sacris of the Women and Children Protection Center of Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center shed light on the challenges victims face in reporting abuse where most of the cases go unreported for years due to fear of family backlash.

“Ang pinaka common man gud nga perpetrators sa sexual abuse aside sa neighbors are their own family members. Maong lisod kaayo para sa ilaha na asa man ko mo sulti na ako mismo gi abuso man ko sa akong pamilya,” said Sacris.

Sacris said that the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to a surge in abuse cases, but the current figures have even surpassed the pandemic figures. Physical abuse is more common among adults, while children are more likely to experience sexual abuse.

Meanwhile, Dr. Faith Ronolo, Medical Officer III of the Department of Health Central Visayas (DOH)-7, explained the lasting impact of abuse on children.

“The trauma of a child who has been abused,  it will cycle. The child would think that it's normal, that it's okay to rape, it's okay to violate, that it's okay nga e-abuse si mama. But when he or she grows up, they will also do that to their partner,” said Ranolo.

Putting emphasis on the biggest shoe a family should fill, Sacris shared that most often the root cause of abuse often lies in dysfunctional family dynamics. She observed that many perpetrators experienced abuse during their own childhoods.

“Usually the alleged perpetrators who do bisan unsa na abuse, come from a dysfunctional family. So pasabot ana pagkabata pa lang na experience nasad na nila sa ilaha. Walay nakasulti nila na oy di mana maayo,” said Sacris.

Ronolo echoed the same sentiment, sharing that children in dysfunctional families often imitate what they see and if abuse is normalized in their environment, it becomes normal in their behavior.

The two doctors emphasized that while discipline is necessary for children, abuse should never be an option.

“So kung madapatan man gani, explain to the child why and always confirm and affirm na love sila,” said Ranolo. (CEBU NEWS)