Lagarteja, Regrine B.2013-88648

On Women and Child Protection Program

Women and child abuse has long been an issue. Ever since the Spanish times, we can read through the history that women are being abused, not only by the soldiers, but by the priests themselves. We can hear the tales of the old women staying at geriatric homes how the Japanese abused them during the war. And yet, it is only recently that we come to address this problem. I, myself, have been a victim of abuse. My ex used to verbally abuse me, at the start, how he discourages me, that I cannot do things without him. How he always makes me feel that he is better than me. How he would show to my face that I am not capable of doing some things. How he threatens to leave me if I fill not follow his commands. Telling me that I should not pursue medicine because I cant do it. I started to feel that I am losing my sense of freedom. Then it escalated to physical abuse, wherein he drags me every time his wishes are not granted, slaps me when I blurt out my complains, my feelings, every time that I cannot control my emotions anymore. Pulls my hair every time I try to walk away from him, and even force me to go to their house, to stay at one room even if I refuse to. But then, I stayed because he always tells me that hes just doing it to teach me, because he loves me. And I was convinced by the promises he makes, every time. Though there were not physical signs of itno bruise, no marks, the pain lingers, and it aches me every time I remember it. I tried to endure it for more than four years before I had the courage and the dedication to go away. When I decided to go away, he would threaten me--that he will say things, to destroy my honor, to my mom, and to people around meto ruin my character and the little dignity that I have left for myself. And to top it all off, I felt that I had no one to hold on to, because I am too afraid to be judged.Upon reading the background and rationale of the women and child protection program, I have noticed that it is focused on physical abuse, and if there is manifestations of it. How about for victims like me, who were verbally abused, who were hurt, but there is no physical manifestation of pain? It is as if theyre saying that the ones who have physical signs hurt more than those who have no signs of it. Women are not empowered because they feel that it is not okay to act, because if there were no signs of it, how can you even prove you were abused? There is more to violence other than just the physical signs of it.Also, there are only 38 WCPUs throughout the Philippines. How can we reach the far areas, the women who cannot personally come to WCPUs. There are a lot of women who cannot reach them because theyre simply just too far. Also, I suggest that Women and Child Program should not only empower women and their children. The whole community must be empowered, because there are times that women cannot do it themselves. They need someone who will tell them that they should report it, and their partners must face the consequences of their actions. Another observation is that the WCPU workers are only working part-time. It gives the feeling and the notion that women and child care program is not something that we should prioritize. Its as if it is a save for later agenda, since the workers are only working part time. This diminishes the report rates and the probability that cases will be filed because sometimes, abuse comes at an unholy time; say after work, or in the middle of the night. WCPU workers must work full-time, available for women and children round the clock.They WCPU workers are discouraged to work as WCPU workers because they are not classified as regulars. Who would be encouraged to work in a WCPU if you are not well compensated and well covered? These workers are of the same importance as other DOH staff, and they have some dangers to face since they are the confidants of these abused women. Abusers might go after them, and threaten them, to encourage their partners to retract their claims. So aside from just compensation and recognition, they must be given proper security, and privacy.Having no standard quality of service is also a question. These women who go to WCPU are physically, emotionally, and psychologically damaged. They are hurt. If a harsh WCPU worker will nag at them, would other women be encouraged to report abuse cases? Standard procedures, attitudes, and processes must be made to ensure that women who come to WCPUs will feel secured and less ashamed of themselves. After all, they went there to seek care, not to be pointed at, to be mad at, or to be scold at. They need care, assurance, and a caring environment so that they can voice out their concerns more confidently.I also suggest that once a woman files a case, it must not be pulled out. Because if they continue the habit of filing then pulling it out, the police might lose the stimulus and the momentum of being vigilant in cases like these. They must encourage women to file, and guide them through the process. Doctors, allied medical professionals, and social workers who have seen the physical manifestations of abuse, or anything that they see that might point out to abuse. Women and Child Care Program must be integrated to the curriculum of the allied health professionals so that they could understand the program and further contribute to the effectiveness of the program. I, myself, am a member of the allied health professionals (being a medical technologist), and yet I have been a victim of abuse, so it is really important that we have the right information and the right motivation to help women in reporting cases like these. I have seen urine samples positive for sperm, which is a strong evidence of abuse, and yet, I was never summoned to testify, to prove that that child indeed, is a victim of sexual abuse.Abused women also have needsneeds beyond what stethoscopes and x-rays can detect. Needs that cannot be quantitated as normal, or above and below levels. We should all work together to minimize and in the longer run eliminate the abuse of women and their children. Programs are just programs if they are not enacted well. Revisions must be made to ensure that they are given the care that they deserve.