Barangays learn to treat cases on violence against women and children

Friday 25th of May 2012

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, May 25 (PIA) -- Some 50 Barangay Women and Children Desk Officers (BWCDO) from different barangays in Catbalogan City gained beneficial information the two days orientation- seminar on their roles and responsibilities as regards cases of violence against women and children at the Cocina de Cabral, Catbalogan City on May 23 and 24.

City legal counsel Atty. Aileen Forteza, discussed Republic Act (RA) 9262 Anti Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) Act of 2004.

Forteza lectured on the law, who can get the protection, and the penalties for those who violate the law.

VAWC deals with the abuses on women and children by their intimate partners like husband or ex-husband, live-in partner, boyfriend/girlfriend, dating partner, or ex-dating partner.

VAWC classifies this as a public crime.

“VAWC refers to any act or a series of acts committed by any person against a woman who is his wife, former wife, or against a woman with whom the person has had a sexual dating relationship, or with whom he has a common child, or against her child whether legitimate or illegitimate.”

Forteza also discussed the duties of barangay officials to increase their knowledge in handling VAWC issues in their community.

In the open forum, Ariem Mojeno, a barangay secretary and at the same time BWCDO said that with this seminar she now fully understands who will get protected under the law.

She said that her knowledge has been enriched by the seminar. She too, has confirmed that the law recognizes that in an abusive relationship, it is usually the woman who is at a disadvantage.

Forteza said that, “Even women can also be liable under the law, where there are lesbian partners or girlfriends with whom the victim has had sexual relationship.”

Another one BWCDO from Barangay San Andres said, “With this orientation, we learned how to respond immediately to the victim, and maybe arrest a perpetrator even without a warrant when any act of violence occur.”

Meanwhile, Clerk of Court RTC Branch 27 Atty. Reynante Evangelista discussed Republic Act 7610 known as special protection for children and child abuse, exploitation, and discrimination act.

Atty. Evangelista added that they are handling the cases on abused women and children.

“The purpose of the law is for the protection of children, providing sanctions, prevention of any form of child abuse, and intervention programs.”

He added, “Any act with child prostitution, attempt to commit child prostitution, child trafficking, obscene publication, and indecent shows or any other act of abuse is punishable by law.”(PIA 8, Samar/Avha H. Ebalde)