Women’s network calls for probe into alleged rape incident at national writer’s workshop

MANILA, Philippines (Updated 9:50 a.m., August 7)— A group composed of women professionals urged the organizing body of a national writer’s workshop to launch a probe following a rape allegation of one of its participants against its keynote speaker.

“We call for proper investigation of the case and a definitive solution to finally end the rampant assaults in the academe,” Gabriela Network of Professionals said in a statement.

The network made the call after one of the writing fellows at the 26th Iligan National Writers Workshop in Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology in Iligan City recently went on Facebook to complain about the rape that she said happened during the workshop. The workshop took place in May this year.

The female fellow accused INWW keynote speaker and alumnus Timothy James Dimacali of being the harasser.

‘Own probe has been conducted’

On Monday, INWW released a statement addressing the issue through Christine Ortega Godinez. However, the post has since been deleted.

“The Iligan National Writers Workshop does not condone rape or any form of sexual harassment. It abhors such acts, and would actively cooperate in securing justice for any of its writing fellows who may have been victimized,” it said.

The INWW also said that they conducted an investigation into the complaint, which was reported 10 days after the alleged harassment occured.

“The organizers of the INWW took the report seriously and immediately conducted an investigation,” INWW said.

“It also interviewed several writing fellows and members of the staff who were present on the night of the said incident, several hours after the workshop officially closed,” it added.

Probe showed ‘it’s between two consenting adults’

Following its own probe, the INWW said “the investigation pointed the alleged incident being a private matter between two consenting adults.”

The workshop’s organizing body also decried the “social media frenzy” on the matter and warned that it would sue those who would damage the workshop’s reputation.

“The INWW through its implementing organization, the Mindanao Creative Writers Group, Inc. appeals for sobriety and prudence during the time and laments the social media frenzy generated unfortunately by the lack of information and ill-informed opinions,” the workshop organizing body said.

“The INWW also does not condone defamation. It abhors acts that would damage its reputation and will actively pursue legal action against those who would try to victimize it,” it added.

‘INWW’s statement is one-sided’

Gabriela Network of Professionals did not accept the statement and considered it a “one-sided update.”

The network lamented how the INWW publicly announced the name of the victim but did not mention the name of the accused, Dimacali.

“We denounce the seemingly one-sided update from INWW, which was released (and eventually deleted) months after the incident. It seems like this was only published to poorly respond to us, but not to the victim. They did not protect her identity,” the network said.

‘End rape culture’

The women’s network also called for an end to rape culture citing that several victims “already find it hard to share their stories, and many of those who have spoken out are constantly challenged by judgments and threats.”

It said that some women who have already won their cases are still affected by trauma and other psychological and physical effects of sexual harassment.

“Different situations, same struggle,” the group said.

“While these women are undoubtedly strong and brave, they need a support system that constantly seeks for justice and truth. They don’t just need a community that comforts. They need a community that fights and resists harassment—a community that questions when it is hard for them to do so,” it added.

For Gabriela Network of Professionals, “consequences of rape don’t end in a day, but the culture that perpetuates this lifetime struggle needs to end now.”

The network stressed that rape is a “shared struggle.”

“It is our responsibility to keep each other safe and free from harm as we work towards a society that is free from the dictates of patriarchy,” the group said as it defended the right of victims to hold institutions and individuals accountable for sexual misconduct.

The group said it welcomes victims who wish to report their case.

'I vehemently deny all of the recent statements made against me'

Dimacali has acknowledged the rape allegation but vehemently denies the accusation.

“I vehemently deny all of the recent statements made against me, accusing me of sexually assaulting someone during an event where I was a speaker,” Dimacali said in a Facebook post.

“I acknowledge the seriousness of the allegation and I understand that any sexual misconduct should be condemned. But this incident has created so much turbulence that my personal life and my reputation have already severely suffered,” it added.

Dimacali maintained that he is ready to defend himself before the proper forum.

He also said that he would "never take advantage of anyone."