BAGUIO CITY (PIA) – The Women and Children Protection Unit (WCPU) of the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC) continues to provide comprehensive support and care to women and children who are survivors of violence.
Dr. Elizabeth Batino, BGHMC WCPU head, said that aside from the comprehensive medico legal examination they provide to the survivors, they also have special programs tailored to their specific needs.
There is also the INAluyon, which supports the victims of domestic violence or intimate partner violence, and the Pag-ayaman, which aims to protect the children from further abuse.
“After the comprehensive medico legal exam and management of social workers, we turn it over to the investigator on case. We explain the process, and the police file a case if there is a probable cause. Hanggang sa assistance na nag-aappear na kami sa korte,” Batino said during the City Hall Hour on Dec. 3.
She added that aside from their tele-WCPU for follow-up checkups, they also refer the survivors to the Department of Social Welfare and Development and other offices for the necessary assistance.
Batino mentioned that they have recorded an increasing trend of abuse with around 100 VAWC cases a month. Cases include physical, sexual, economic, verbal, and psychological or emotional violence.
She said that the rise in numbers may indicate that more survivors are empowered to report.
“Because of our continuous advocacy, dumadami na ngayon ang nakakaalam kung what to report, where to report, how to report, so dumadami ang datos,” Batino said.
Most of the cases handled by the WCPU involve physical abuse of women and sexual abuse against children. They have also recorded repeat cases of domestic abuse or intimate partner violence.
Batino urged other victims to come forward and report to the authorities.
“You should know what type of abuse na naranasan mo … at alam mo na may batas na magpro-protekta sa’yo, ‘yun ang pinakaimportante din. Kaya kahit lumabas ka sa sarili mong bahay, wag kang dcmatakot for sure matutulungan ka nila. Sa pulis, sa amin [WCPU], o sa CSWDO,” she said.
The BGHMC-WCPU can be reached through the helplines 0968-640-4431 or 0927-779-0998 or its Facebook Page WCPU-BGHMC. **DEG-PIA CAR
