Another WCPU established in Iloilo

By Lilibeth A. French

The West Visayas State University – Medical Center (WVSU-MC) in La Paz, Iloilo City established its own Women and Children Protection Unit (WCPU) to cater to women and children who are victims of violence and abuse.

Police Captain Sheila Mae Sangrines, Spokesperson of the Iloilo City Police Office, said the WCPU of WVSU-MC will open starting 2020.

Sangrines said the WCPU will cater to abused women and children who seek medical assistance in the hospital. It will ensure that the needs of the victims are attended to promptly and efficiently.

Medical examination and treatment, provision of medicine, laboratory tests, psychiatric care, and crisis counseling are some of the services available at the WCPU.

With the opening of the women and children protection unit in WVSU-MC, Sangrines said there are now two WCPUs in Iloilo City to include that of Western Visayas Medical Center in Mandurriao district.

“The units are manned by trained and competent WCPU staff including a physician, nurse and social worker,” Sangrines said.

This week, training is set to further enhance capacities of the WCPUs staff and other service providers like police officers in this city to be able to respond effectively to the needs of the victims.

The training will be provided by experts from the Child Protection Unit of University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital, Sangrines said in an interview with the Philippine Information Agency during the One Billion Rising (OBR) event held in Iloilo City on Valentine’s Day.

She said that cases of violence against women and children have been declining in Iloilo City, attributing this to the increasing awareness of the public on violence against women (VAW) with the help of the various IEC activities conducted by concerned agencies and organizations such as the OBR, a dance protest to end VAW.

However, Sangrines noted there are still reported incidents of violence against women, especially domestic abuse, and that physical abuse remains the most prevalent form committed.

She continues to solicit the help of the Ilonggos in the attainment of a VAW-free community. She emphasized that domestic violence is a public crime and reporting such cases to authorities can get help as well as protect and ensure the safety of the victims. (PIA-Iloilo)