HONORING THE PAST, INSPIRING THE FUTURE

JOURNEY TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE WOMEN AND CHILDREN’S JOURNEY TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY Women and children are one of those who suffer from all kinds of abuse, specifically to domestic violence. Domestic violence is a deadly crime, a social menace and a costly public health problem. It explodes anywhere, anytime and within any economic class (McCauley, 2013).

Domestic violence is an escalating pattern of coercive behavior that includes physical, sexual, and psychological assaults against a current or former intimate partner or against children. Witnessing violence between one’s parents or caretakers is the strongest risk factor of transmitting violent behavior from one generation to the next (http://www.breakthecycle.org, 2006).

Domestic violence is common among Filipino families but it is difficult to determine because most of the incidence are unreported. The abusers among Filipino families were the father, live-in partner, boyfriend or step-father

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY 1. To know the profile of the respondents in terms of; 1.1 Age; 1.2 Educational Attainment; 1.3 Gender ; 1.4 Family size; 1.5 Occupation; 1.6 Monthly family income; and 1.7 To whom the victim disclosed the incidence of abuse

2. To determine the causes of domestic violence among women and children. 3. To identify the types of domestic violence experienced by the respondents. 4. To recognize the effects of domestic violence to the respondents. 5. To know the barriers in disclosing the incidence of domestic violence. 6. To know the programs of the community to lessen the incidence of domestic violence.

METHOD AND TECHNIQUES Descriptive method Purposive sampling technique 7 Children and 4 women suffered from domestic abuse (taken from the record/file of the women and children’s desk of the respondent barangay Tool for data gathering: questionnaire supported by interview and observation Frequency and percentage distribution, weighted mean and ranking

DISCUSSION Women are ordinarily defined as “the other”, “second sex”, passive sexual objects, devoted mothers, and a dutiful wife (Rosaldo & Lamphere, 2014). Children refers to those below eighteen (18) years of age or older but are incapable of taking care of themselves (Article I Section 3 of RA 7610-Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act) it includes the biological children of the victim and other children under her care (Article 3 of RA 9262-Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004)

The State recognizes the need to protect the family and its members particularly women and children, from violence and threats to their personal safety and security. The State also values the dignity of women and children and guarantees full respect for human rights (Section 2 of RA 9262).

In 2007, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) documented 1, 011 women (Women in Especially Difficult Circumstances (WEDC) in Region III experienced domestic violence (physical /maltreatment/battering). There were 1,003 children both males and females suffered from domestic violence such as sexual abuse among girls and neglect among boys (Virola, 2012).

CONCLUSIONS Majority of the child respondents were between 6-13 years old, male, elementary level, belonged to 7-9 family members with P 1,999- 3,999 monthly family income and disclosed the incidence of abuse to their aunt. Women respondents were between 15 - 40 years old, with educational attainment from high school level to college graduate, single and married, belonged to 7-9 family members with monthly family income between 1,000 below up to 20,000 and unable to disclose the incidence of abuse.

Child respondents “Strongly Agree” that being young and poverty were the main causes of domestic violence in addition they “Moderately Agree” that having a father who is heavy drinker and not recognizing that abuse takes place were also some of causes of domestic violence. Among women, they “Strongly Agree” that the main cause of domestic violence were undermining the capacity of women, unemployment; heavy drinker partner and discrimination among women.

All of the Child respondents were physically abused by their parents, while women experienced physical and sexual abuse/assault from their partner/husband. The Child respondents “Strongly Agree” that the physical effects of abuse or domestic violence among children are hostility and diminished relationship with family. The women respondents “Strongly Agree” that they have experienced worthlessness. Likewise, they have intended to use prohibited drugs (substance abuse) and developed diminished relationship with family members and friends

The child respondents “Moderately Agree” that the psycho-emotional effects of domestic violence include depression, feeling of guilt and anger and anxiety. Women “Strongly Agree” that acute anxiety/frequent crying, is the major psycho-emotional effect that they have experienced every after the physical and sexual abuse/assault by their partner or husband.

Women respondents “Agree” that they have experienced fear on sexual intercourse with their partner/husband. The barriers in disclosing the incidence of domestic violence among child respondents are fear, isolation, lack of support and emotional attachment to the perpetrator or abuser.

Fear is the main cause of not disclosing the incidence of domestic violence among women, Likewise, they have also experienced feeling of powerlessness, emotional attachment to the abuser/perpetrator and stigma were among the secondary barriers of disclosure of domestic violence. Women and Children’s desk and Information Campaign through seminars were the programs currently implemented by the Barangay respondent.

RECOMMENDATIONS The community leaders should continuously strengthen the programs currently implemented such as Women and Children’s desk and Information Campaign to eliminate the incidence of domestic violence within the community.

Women and children who are the victims of domestic violence and the abusers/perpetrators should be subjected for guidance and counseling to regain their well being and start a new life with their family. Victims of domestic violence should be encouraged to disclose the incidence of abuse to lessen the incidence and to take appropriate action and management about the abuse.

Orientation-seminar about the occurrence and types of abuse should be conducted by the researchers to disseminate the findings of the study. Another study should be conducted focusing on the perpetrators of the domestic violence to determine the reason of the abuse.

INFORMATION DISSEMINATION OF THE FINDINGS OF THE STUDY