DSWD eyes reduction in domestic violence
Published Apr 2, 2018 03:29 pm
By Ellalyn De Vera-Ruiz
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is pushing for the strengthening of family ties among Filipinos to put a stop to domestic violence.
According to DSWD, domestic violence can be defined as physical, sexual, and psychological violence occurring in the family/household. It may be classified as wife battering, wife assault, woman abuse, marital violence, wife cruelty, and family violence.
DSWD officer-in-charge (OIC) Undersecretary Emmanuel Leyco (MANILA BULLETIN)
“As one of the Philippine government’s initiatives to address the issue of violence against women, it is urgent that all government agencies take the lead in implementing and enforcing Republic Act 9262 or the “Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004,” DSWD OIC Secretary Emmanuel Leyco said.
“Under this Act, violence against women is classified as a public crime and penalizes all forms of abuse and violence within the family and intimate relationships, hence all women should be aware where to report cases of violence committed against them,” he added.
Based on the preliminary findings of the 2017 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), “one in four or 26 percent of ever-married women aged 15-49 has ever experienced physical, sexual or emotional violence by their husband or partner.”
In addition, one in five or 20 percent of women has ever experienced emotional violence, 14 percent has ever experienced physical violence, and 5 percent has ever experienced sexual violence by their current or most recent husband or partner.
“Among the ways to lessen the occurrence of incidents of domestic violence is to focus on the over-all mental, emotional and physical health and well-being of family members. For instance, if the husband does not have any vices, such as drinking and gambling, he will be less prone to abuse his wife and children,” Leyco said.
“Good health has a positive effect on the family, and the healthier the parents and children are, the better the chances that they will have happier and healthier lives,” he added.
Another study conducted by the American addiction centers.org on alcoholism and family/marital problems indicates that among individuals who attack a spouse or partner, 60-70 percent had abused alcohol.
“Although the prevalence of alcohol in abuse situations does not necessarily mean that drinking causes the domestic violence, it may be a factor in the violence,” it pointed out.
Leyco said DSWD’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program conducts family development sessions (FDS), which beneficiaries should regularly attend as one of the program conditionalities.
Among the modules being discussed during the FDS are husband-wife relationships and the respective roles and responsibilities of such, as well as responsible parenthood including positive disciplining of children.
“Our beneficiaries relate that the lessons they learn from the modules taught to them during the FDS sessions help them to strengthen their family relationships and they are encouraged to be better parents,” Leyco said.
DSWD officer-in-charge (OIC) Undersecretary Emmanuel Leyco (MANILA BULLETIN)
“As one of the Philippine government’s initiatives to address the issue of violence against women, it is urgent that all government agencies take the lead in implementing and enforcing Republic Act 9262 or the “Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004,” DSWD OIC Secretary Emmanuel Leyco said.
“Under this Act, violence against women is classified as a public crime and penalizes all forms of abuse and violence within the family and intimate relationships, hence all women should be aware where to report cases of violence committed against them,” he added.
Based on the preliminary findings of the 2017 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), “one in four or 26 percent of ever-married women aged 15-49 has ever experienced physical, sexual or emotional violence by their husband or partner.”
In addition, one in five or 20 percent of women has ever experienced emotional violence, 14 percent has ever experienced physical violence, and 5 percent has ever experienced sexual violence by their current or most recent husband or partner.
“Among the ways to lessen the occurrence of incidents of domestic violence is to focus on the over-all mental, emotional and physical health and well-being of family members. For instance, if the husband does not have any vices, such as drinking and gambling, he will be less prone to abuse his wife and children,” Leyco said.
“Good health has a positive effect on the family, and the healthier the parents and children are, the better the chances that they will have happier and healthier lives,” he added.
Another study conducted by the American addiction centers.org on alcoholism and family/marital problems indicates that among individuals who attack a spouse or partner, 60-70 percent had abused alcohol.
“Although the prevalence of alcohol in abuse situations does not necessarily mean that drinking causes the domestic violence, it may be a factor in the violence,” it pointed out.
Leyco said DSWD’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program conducts family development sessions (FDS), which beneficiaries should regularly attend as one of the program conditionalities.
Among the modules being discussed during the FDS are husband-wife relationships and the respective roles and responsibilities of such, as well as responsible parenthood including positive disciplining of children.
“Our beneficiaries relate that the lessons they learn from the modules taught to them during the FDS sessions help them to strengthen their family relationships and they are encouraged to be better parents,” Leyco said.