The number of violence against women (VAW) cases in Negros Oriental has dropped significantly this year compared to last year, a police official said.

Captain Helen Grace Aldirete, chief of the Women and Children’s Protection Desk (WCPD) of the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NOrPPO), said during a forum that this is due to strengthened campaigns, collaboration, increased awareness, and commitment to the rights of women.

Aldirete said from January 1 to November 25 this year, a total of 295 VAW cases were recorded in the province.

“This is much lower than the 424 cases recorded for the same period last year,” she said.

Aldirete presented data that showed that of the 295 cases this year, violations of Republic Act 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children (VAWC) Act of 2004 topped the list with 239 cases followed by acts of lasciviousness (17), rape (25) and the rest were other violations/abuses against women.

She said 221 cases included victims who declined to press charges; 43 of these cases were cleared, while 29 were either filed or the perpetrators arrested, and three others are under investigation.

In an interview with the Philippine News Agency after the forum, Aldirete lamented that many of their clients visiting their office are wives hesitant to pursue cases against their husbands.

Meanwhile, she said the VAW campaign has gone to the barangay level, where officials and the community are actively participating in programs to protect women against all forms of violence and abuses, she said.

“Ligtas na Bahay, Ligtas na Pamilya” campaign is a barangay-level program focusing on safety, early reporting, and community vigilance on violence against women, Aldirete said.

Police hotline numbers, online reporting channels, and text reporting for VAWC cases are also in full swing now at the police stations, she added. (PNA)