Salving the shuddering

Women abuse survivors seeking refuge benefit from high school’s holiday outreach

CONTENT WARNING

The following text contains descriptions that may be harmful or traumatising to some audiences. Reader discretion is advised.

By JACE ADRIEL YAP

“NOBODY WAS THERE for me when I needed them most,” Yuka, not her real name, stated as she recalls the unfortunate circumstances shrouding her early life where she was neglected, abused, and even violated by her own father.

Yuka’s life was one filled to the brim with trials and tribulations from birth. She was the youngest child in a family of 12. Of which, seven of her siblings had their own family, one was diseased, while she and her older brother still remained under the custody of their parents.

A family this large would usually imply a home environment filled with love and care. However, this could not be further from the truth.

It was the midnight of July 18, 2020 when the sexual abuse happened. Yuka was sleeping peacefully at their residence in Camarines Sur when her father suddenly removed her shorts and underwear before raping her.

“I pretended to be unconscious out of fear and shock about what was happening. My father said he would kill me if I told anybody. I was panicking and didn’t know what to do,” recollects Yuka. “I waited until my father fell asleep before I went to Iriga on my bike. It was probably 6:00 am when I arrived to talk to my mother,” she added.

After Yuka disclosed what had happened, her mother was in disbelief and refused to accept her statements. She tried to share the traumatic incident with her paternal aunt, but, much like her own mother, Yuka’s aunt refused to do anything, fearing the perpetrator.

It was only when she approached the Barangay Council that her story was finally heard.

This ultimately led to her admission to the Haven for Women and Girls, a shelter for girls just like her who were victims of violence against women (VAW).

Doors have opened

The easing of COVID-19 restrictions gave the school the opportunity to conduct charity events December last year by the science and values education clubs together with the Boy Scouts club and the National Drug Education Program club, reaching out to the Haven for Women and Girls as the beneficiary.

“I’m happy but it also pinches my heart. We will realize how much privilege we have. They have family, but one that you can bond with and be comfortable with everyday is still different,” comments Mark Lyndon Ariate, a senior crew leader of the scouting club.

Countless students have donated pre-loved clothes. books, hygiene amenities to biscuits and canned goods.

The donation events were primarily driven by a collective desire to give back to the community and instill empathy, compassion, and philanthropy.

“I’m so glad! They were all very excited and enthusiastic. I like to think that they’re really glad because they have lots of things now,” expressed one beneficiary staff.

Swelling concern

Yuka’s story is one of many. According to a report in 2020 published by the Philippine Statistics Authority, the national police recorded about 15, 553 cases of VAW. And, the-