LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – A safe haven for sexually abused women will be among the priorities of Anti-Crime and Terrorism through Community Involvement and Support (ACT-CIS) Party-list and Benguet caretaker congressman Eric G. Yap in a bid to help the victims.
The construction of these facilities will be a welcome respite, according to Yap, particularly to victims of sexual abuse who will be given free psychological and other interventions to help them get back on their feet.
Yap said facilities such as safe haven will help victims recover easier from the trauma of their ordeals.
“Nakita natin na marami ang cases ng rape. And maraming lumalapit sa atin na narape na natatakot silang lumabas. Ngayon nagkakaroon na sila ng lakas ng loob para lumapit at alam nila na ipagtatanggol natin sila. Tutulungan natin sila para maka recover. Kung kinakailangan, pagawan natin sila ng bahay para yung trauma nila mawala,” said Yap.
A mother and child last week sought the help of Yap for legal assistance together with Col. Reynaldo Pasiwen, provincial director of the Benguet Provincial Police Office following the arrest of a rapist.
According to the investigation, while the victims’ parents were out of their home, the suspect took advantage of the situation as he allegedly started to abuse the first victim, a 7-year-old, in 2014.
In 2017, the suspect abused the second victim, who was 10 years old. The suspect continued to abuse the same victim in 2018.
On November 23, 2021, the suspect started sexually abusing the third victim, who was 11 – years – old.
In February this year, Yap also assured swift justice and condemned the rape and killing of a 10 – year – old girl in the province.
Yap visited and handed financial assistance to the parents of the 10 – year – old victim whose remains was found in a ravine in Itogon, Benguet.
Aside from the financial assistance, Yap also paid the funeral expenses of the victim.
“Wala pong lugar ang mag rapist at killer dito sa ating probinsya. Sa ating mga kababayan sa Benguet, wag po kayong matakot dahil patuloy ko po kayong baabantayan at sisiguraduhin ko pa ang pagra-rape ay mababawasan. Hindi rin po tayo titigil hanggang hindi nahuhuli ang mga rapists,” Yap said.
