The Haven for Women serves 412 clients
THE Department of Social Welfare and Development which runs The Haven Center for Women in Bonuan Binloc here since its establishment in 1999 has reported that 31.5 percent of their clientele are minors who became victims of involuntary prostitution (VIP).
The highest age bracket of victims belongs to those aged 17 and below. This is followed by the battered and physically abused women (25 percent), incestuous rape (21 percent) and rape (6.3 percent) while the rest are either maltreated or runaway from their homes for several reasons.
Thirty- three percent or 68 women served have reached third or fourth year high school, 23 percent or 44 women are into their first and second year high schools and 19 percent finished grades five and six or had finished elementary school.
At least 14 or 7.3 percent women reached college or college graduates and seven are unschooled and the others have mental incapacities.
Aida Rufo, head of The Haven here told The PUNCH that they have so far served 412 women clients and 149 dependents. The Center which began its operation on August 19, 1999 caters to socially disadvantaged women from across the region who are victims of involuntary prostitution, illegal recruitment, sexual and physical abuse, abandoned and neglected, with their dependents.
It was through the efforts of Gina de Venecia, president of Congressional Spouses Foundation Inc. that the project came into existence. Rufo said those aged 18 and 20 comprised 17.30 percent of their clients, 21 to 23 make up 15 percent, 24 to 26 composed 5.20 percent.
Their oldest client is 48 years old and the youngest is 13 years old.
About 122 women or 64 percent of the total clients served were already discharged and reintegrated to their immediate families. At present, there are 19 women clients and 11 dependents housed at the Center who are being attended to by 10 staff members from the Department of Social Welfare and Development through their health educational, maternal and health care, spiritual guidance, psychological interventions and referral to other institutions for permanent placement/adoption or foster care services. – Eva
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