The Quezon City government has established the country’s first ever unified database of violence against women and children (VAWC) cases reported in barangays, city hall and VAWC desks in police stations to track and hasten the processing of gender-based violence cases in the city.

Mayor Joy Belmonte together with the QC Gender and Development (GAD) Council spearheaded the launch on Monday of the QC Gender and Development Integrated Management Information System or “QC VAW Centralized Databank System” which will be used by the VAWC desk officers in the city’s 142 barangays, police stations, and GAD Council.

The project launch also serves as the culmination activity of the city’s commemoration of the 18-day campaign to End Violence Against Women.

The mayor earlier expressed concern over the rising cases of reported VAWC in the city, as reported by QC Police District Director Gen. Antonio Yarra in September 2021.

According to Gen. Yarra, there has been a 66.67% increase in VAWC cases and a 21.54% increase in rape cases for the first eight months of the year compared to the same period last year. Most of the recorded cases were of physical abuse and psychological abuse. It was also noted that the pandemic played a significant role in the upward trend of VAWC cases.

Mayor Belmonte directed the QCPD, QC Protection Center, and Gender and Development office to monitor and act swiftly on calls and reports pertaining to VAWC and other gender-based incidents. She also encouraged QCitizens, especially victims of gender-based abuse, to seek help through various government programs.

“Abot-kamay na ang pag-asa para sa libu-libong biktima, habang tinitiyak natin ang kapanatagan ng loob para sa iba pang kababaihan at kabataan. Maliwanag ang mensahe natin sa kanila: tayo ay nasa panig nila at wala silang dapat ipangamba,” the mayor said in her speech.

“Ang hamon sa atin: patuloy pang maglunsad ng mga programa at serbisyo na gaya nito, na tututok sa mga isyu ng kababaihan. Manatili sanang bukas ang ating mga puso at palad para magbigay proteksyon,” she added.

###