Councilor mulls shelter for women, children in Bacolod
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The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod has approved a resolution urging Mayor Albee Benitez to establish a center to serve as temporary shelter for victims of violence against women and children, and a rape crisis center.
Section 3 of Republic Act No. (RA) 8505, or the Rape Victim Assistance and Protection Act of 1998, provides for the establishment of a Rape Crisis Center in every city, said Councilor Celia Matea Flor, also author of the resolution.
Section 40 of RA 9262, or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004, states that victims must be provided with mandatory programs and services, such as temporary shelters, counselling, psycho-social services, and/or recovery, rehabilitation, and livelihood assistance, the resolution also said. (https://bit.ly/3H2lTKD)
It likewise cited Section 30 of Magna Carta of Women mandating local governments to deliver necessary services and interventions for Women in Especially Difficult Circumstances or victims and survivors of sexual and physical abuse, illegal recruitment, prostitution, etc.
It is important to have a place of refuge for our victim-survivors where they will not only be provided with shelter, but also other assistance and services that they might need, said Flor.
At present, Bacolod City does not have a center that can meet the needs of victims and survivors.
