CEBU, Philippines – A waiting area for women and children who are victims of all forms of exploitation and abuse was launched yesterday.
The Women and Children’s Waiting Area (WCWA) is located on the ground floor of the Palace of Justice at the Cebu Provincial Capitol compound.
A group of concerned non-government organizations partnered with the Office of the Regional State Prosecutor-7 for the creation of WCWA.
The WCWA serves as an area for women and children who are victims of trafficking and other forms of abuses during inquests, preliminary investigations, and while waiting for their trial.
It has comfortable sofas, reading materials, paintings and other fixtures donated by various NGOs and individuals. It may also be used by children who are in conflict with the law.
Lawyers and social workers welcome the establishment of the WCWA.
Records from the Palace of Justice showed that from January 2008 to April 2009, at least 17 complaints involving trafficking of women and children have been filed before the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office.
Samson Inocencio, director of the International Justice Mission-Cebu (IJM-Cebu), said that WCWA does not only cover victims in the city, but those victims in the province as well, as provincial courts are under the ORSP-7.
A memorandum of understanding was also signed yesterday between Regional State Prosecutor Fernando Gubalane and various NGOs during the launching and turnover of WCWA.
The NGOs include the Lihok Filipina Foundation Inc., Free LAVA, IJM, Fellowship for Organizational Endeavors, Inc., Share a Child Movement, Inc., Stop Abuse of Minors Association, Inc., and the Venue for Initiative and Genuine Development, Inc. – Johanna T. Natavio/LPM (THE FREEMAN)