May 7, 2020
Recognizing that
domestic violence cases are on the rise in the midst of a COVID-19 crisis, not
just in the Philippines but worldwide–DivinaLaw organized an online public
service forum “Closer to Home: Domestic Violence During COVID Lockdown and
Beyond.”
The forum featured an esteemed panel of speakers
consisting of Hon. Elisa Sarmiento-Flores, acting presiding Judge – Branch 69 –
Taguig; Assistant Secretary Joyce Niwane – Department of Social Welfare and
Development, PCol. Lailene Amparo, CIDG Women and Children Complaints Unit
chief, as well as DivinaLaw Senior Partner Estrella Elamparo, and DivinaLaw HR
Director Atty. Renelie Mayuga.
Atty. Mayuga discussed the signs of abusive
behavior, the cycle of violence, and some statistics on domestic abuse; while
Atty. Elamparo shared the salient points of Republic Act 9262 or the
Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004.
Speaking to the over 150 attendees, DSWD Asec.
Niwane exhorted the people to become truly caring neighbors. “Ito po ay
problema ng bayan, hindi lang ng isang pamilya. Ang susunod na henerasyon ang
nakataya dito.”
Judge Sarmiento-Flores also advised women to not
just rely on their hearts when considering whether they should stay in an
abusive relationship. “We are made equal with men. Dapat i-consider at
alagaan din natin ang ating mga sarili.”