MANILA — While most provinces of the country is in general community quarantine (GCQ) for at least another two weeks, human rights advocate are worried of a possible spark in the number of domestic violence especially among women and children.
Senator Risa Hontiveros, chairperson of the Committee on Women and Children in the senate said during a live radio-TV interview aired over DZBB, Sunday, that she agreed with the observation of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) that the reported domestic violence in the country had dropped during the lockdown may not be accurate.
“Sumasang-ayon ako sa pahayag ng CHR at na-appreciate ko rin ang pananaw ni DSWD Secretary Bautista na ang ganitong mga datos ay nakakabahala dahil ibig sabihin na maaaring hindi nakaka-report, hindi nakakareklamo at hindi nakahingi ng tulong ang mga biktima ng domestic violence. Maaring wala silang masakyan, hindi makalabas ng bahay, abala ang lahat sa Covid-19,” she said.
Earlier on Sunday, the Commission of Human Rights (CHR) said the data from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) that indicates a 61 percent decrease of domestic violence under the lockdown may not be entirely accurate because of so many reasons.
On the other hand, the Secretary Bautista in his separate statement said their data may not be reflective of the real situation on the ground knowing that the lockdown impairs movement and communication of the people, especially women and children, who could have reported cases of domestic violence to their local authorities.
Meanwhile, Senator Hontiveros agrees that new laws may be passed because it appears that cases of violence against women and children have aggravated. “Imagine na sa panahon ng pandemic ay tumitindi pa nga ang online sexual exploitation of children. May Facebook page pa na ang pangalan ay ‘Mahilig sa Bata’, at nag-Twit sila at nagtransact sa Instagram, at sa What’s Up,” she said.
The senator says she has compiled all materials and reports of violence and abuse in her office and calls on the National Bureau of Investigation, including the international law enforcement bodies in Australia, United Kingdom, USA, Sweden to conduct massive crackdown operations on big time syndicates that prey on hapless Filipino women and children in the country.
