The Regional Committee for the Welfare of Children and Regional Committee Against Trafficking-Violence Against Women and Their Children (RCAT-VAWC) in partnership with Bidlisiw Foundation, Inc., Development Assistance in the Philippines, and Commission on Human Rights (CHR), conducted a media forum on Human Trafficking Awareness and Child-Sensitive Reporting at Go Hotels Nov. 29.
The initiative highlighted the theme “Strengthening Local Systems and Partnerships for More Effective and Sustainable Counter-Trafficking in Persons in the Philippines”.
The activity was also supported by United States Agency for International Development, Partnership for Development Assistance in the Philippines Inc. (PDAP), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region VI, Department of Justice (DOJ), and Philippine Information Agency (PIA).
University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) Division of Humanities Instructor Aljohn Torreta; Regional Prosecutor Julie Anne Alegre; CHR Division Manager, Promotion & Advocacy Division chief Christopher Montano; ATiP Network, Inc. President Col. Ma. Cecilia Detablan; Iloilo City Police Office Public Information Officer Major Shiela Sangrines; Philippine Information Agency Officer Franz Remar Garion, and students from UPV and West Visayas State University (WVSU), and media partners participated in the event.
Child trafficking is defined as the recruitment, transportation, or harboring of children for exploitation.
DOJ Victim-Witness Coordinator Atty. Mayren P. Abusion said that poverty is one of the key factors contributing to the risk of child trafficking.
She added that VAWC is mostly not reported due to silence, stigma and humiliation. Thus, there is a need to raise awareness and advocacy for those who experience this high form of inhumanity.
The sessions discussed media and students’ understanding of VAWC to identify its possible effects on a person’s mental health, avoid cyberbullying, and prevent human trafficking.
RCAT-VAWC 6 Focal Xzyrabelle Servento shared to students to be careful in using social media, to engage responsibly and be vigilant.
The forum focused on disseminating factual information and advocating awareness about the 18-Day campaign to End VAW.
The undertaking was also in time for the celebration of International Day Against Trafficking (IDAT) on Dec. 12.
To end human trafficking, you can report to the concerned authorities, www.1343actionline.ph, or DSWD Region VI at 0915-200-3251. (Alexandra Jover/Iloilo City PIO)
