QC crisis center helps victims-survivors of violence and abuse
Published Apr 27, 2018 10:56 am
By Chito Chavez
The creation of the Quezon City Protection Center (QCPC) has assisted more than 1,000 victim-survivors of violence and abuse, mostly women and children since it was established in 2011.
Credit: Pixabay / MANILA BULLETIN
From December 2011 to March 2018, a total of 1,147 victim-survivors were served by the facility.
Of this number, 694 were women, 359 were “female children. Eighty were “male children” and 13 were LGBT.
Most of the cases, 618, were physical abuse, followed by sexual abuse such as rape and molestation, 343; psychological abuse, 60; and economic abuse, 31.
Also included were 43 cases of bullying, stalking, unjust vexation, and discrimination.
The youngest of the victims was a physically abused seven-day-old male infant while the oldest was a 77-year-old grandmother, also a victim of physical abuse. Also among the victim-patients were 11 persons with disabilities (PWDs) and people with special needs.
From January to March this year alone, QCPC has assisted 48 victim-survivors: 19 women, 2 LGBT, 7 male children, and 20 female children.
Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte, who initiated the establishment of QCPC, said this only shows that more and more victims are coming forward to seek help with the knowledge that there is an institution ready to provide them with free legal, medical, and psychological assistance.
“We have given them a venue, a place to run to whenever they need help. We are quite proud that through our crisis center, we have encouraged victims of gender-based violence to come out and fight back,” Belmonte said.
More than providing them with medical and legal help, QCPC also makes sure victims are fully recovered from their traumatic ordeals and reintegrated back to the society.
“If you are a victim of abuse, you feel devastated and an outcast. Our aim is to help a victim to be back in his or her old self na may self-esteem, may dignity,” Belmonte said.
Dr. Elsie Callos, one of the medical consultants of QCPC, cited the case of a battered wife who sought their help in 2014.
“She reported to us in 2014, then went back a year after. She was severely beaten, 50-50 na siya nu’n,” Callos recounted.
The woman was given medical and psychological help until her recovery and QCPC assisted the filing of cases against her abusive husband in court.
“She has testified in court. It was a big help for her. Nailayo na namin siya sa asawa niya and she is now with her children. Happy na siya,” Callos added.
“Mataas ‘to, compared to other care facilities. Sa iba, this number, for the whole decade na. And we are the first in the country to have a facility like this, ” Belmonte pointed out, citing the high turnout of victim-survivors that were served at QCPC.
Created by Ordinance 2191, QCPC is a “one-stop-shop” and temporary shelter for women, children and LGBT members who are victims of violence and abuse. It is located at the Quezon City General Hospital and Medical Center on Seminary Road in Barangay Bahay Toro.
The facility provides a “multidisciplinary” approach in protection and care such as medical and police assistance, legal consultation, and psychological counseling to victims of gender-based violence and abuse.
Among QCPC’s partner-institutions are Kaisahang Buhay Foundation, a child and family welfare organization; Bethany’s Children Home, a relocation and child caring institution for young victims of sexual abuse; and Women’s Care Center, a crisis center for survivors of battering, rape, incest, prostitution, sexual harassment and sex trafficking.
Credit: Pixabay / MANILA BULLETIN
From December 2011 to March 2018, a total of 1,147 victim-survivors were served by the facility.
Of this number, 694 were women, 359 were “female children. Eighty were “male children” and 13 were LGBT.
Most of the cases, 618, were physical abuse, followed by sexual abuse such as rape and molestation, 343; psychological abuse, 60; and economic abuse, 31.
Also included were 43 cases of bullying, stalking, unjust vexation, and discrimination.
The youngest of the victims was a physically abused seven-day-old male infant while the oldest was a 77-year-old grandmother, also a victim of physical abuse. Also among the victim-patients were 11 persons with disabilities (PWDs) and people with special needs.
From January to March this year alone, QCPC has assisted 48 victim-survivors: 19 women, 2 LGBT, 7 male children, and 20 female children.
Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte, who initiated the establishment of QCPC, said this only shows that more and more victims are coming forward to seek help with the knowledge that there is an institution ready to provide them with free legal, medical, and psychological assistance.
“We have given them a venue, a place to run to whenever they need help. We are quite proud that through our crisis center, we have encouraged victims of gender-based violence to come out and fight back,” Belmonte said.
More than providing them with medical and legal help, QCPC also makes sure victims are fully recovered from their traumatic ordeals and reintegrated back to the society.
“If you are a victim of abuse, you feel devastated and an outcast. Our aim is to help a victim to be back in his or her old self na may self-esteem, may dignity,” Belmonte said.
Dr. Elsie Callos, one of the medical consultants of QCPC, cited the case of a battered wife who sought their help in 2014.
“She reported to us in 2014, then went back a year after. She was severely beaten, 50-50 na siya nu’n,” Callos recounted.
The woman was given medical and psychological help until her recovery and QCPC assisted the filing of cases against her abusive husband in court.
“She has testified in court. It was a big help for her. Nailayo na namin siya sa asawa niya and she is now with her children. Happy na siya,” Callos added.
“Mataas ‘to, compared to other care facilities. Sa iba, this number, for the whole decade na. And we are the first in the country to have a facility like this, ” Belmonte pointed out, citing the high turnout of victim-survivors that were served at QCPC.
Created by Ordinance 2191, QCPC is a “one-stop-shop” and temporary shelter for women, children and LGBT members who are victims of violence and abuse. It is located at the Quezon City General Hospital and Medical Center on Seminary Road in Barangay Bahay Toro.
The facility provides a “multidisciplinary” approach in protection and care such as medical and police assistance, legal consultation, and psychological counseling to victims of gender-based violence and abuse.
Among QCPC’s partner-institutions are Kaisahang Buhay Foundation, a child and family welfare organization; Bethany’s Children Home, a relocation and child caring institution for young victims of sexual abuse; and Women’s Care Center, a crisis center for survivors of battering, rape, incest, prostitution, sexual harassment and sex trafficking.