BY MARY JOY CAVAÑAS
ILOILO City – To further disseminate factual information and advocate awareness about human trafficking and the 18-day campaign to end violence against women and children (VAWC), a forum on Human Trafficking Awareness and Child-Sensitive Reporting was held in this city on Nov. 29.
With the theme, “Strengthening Local Systems and Partnerships for More Effective and Sustainable Counter-Trafficking in Persons in the Philippines,” the forum was led by the Regional Committee for the Welfare of Children and Regional Committee Against Trafficking-Violence Against Women and Their Children (RCAT-VAWC) in partnership with the city government, Bidlisiw Foundation, Inc., Development Assistance in the Philippines, and Commission on Human Rights.
The activity was also in time for the celebration of International Day Against Trafficking on Dec. 12.
Among the highlights of the forum was identifying VAWC’s possible effects on a person’s mental health, countering cyberbullying and preventing human trafficking.
Child trafficking, defined as the recruitment, transportation, or harboring of children for exploitation, was particularly mentioned.
Atty. Mayren P. Abusion, Department of Justice’s (DOJ) victim-witness coordinator, said poverty is one of the key factors contributing to the risk of child trafficking.
She said there is a need to raise awareness and advocacy for those who experience this high form of inhumanity as VAWC is mostly not reported due to silence, stigma and humiliation.
For her part, Xzyrabelle Servento, RCAT-VAWC Region 6 focal person, reminded students to be careful in using social media, engage responsibly and be vigilant.
The undertaking was also supported by the United States Agency for International Development, Partnership for Development Assistance in the Philippines Inc., Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region 6, DOJ, and Philippine Information Agency.
To end human trafficking, you can report to the concerned authorities, www.1343actionline.ph, of DSWD-6 at 0915-200-3251./PN
