A New Lease on Life

A battered wife, a rape victim, a physically abused child-their circumstances may differ but they share a common experience--the pain and suffering from physical, mental and emotional violence. And in a small, nondescript building that houses the SAGIP Family Crisis Center, they are learning to live again.

For women and children who suffer from violence and abuse, SAGIP offers not just refuge, but a chance for a better life.

A battered wife, a rape victim, a physically abused child-their circumstances may differ but they share a common experience--the pain and suffering from physical, mental and emotional violence. And in a small, nondescript building that houses the SAGIP Family Crisis Center, they are learning to live again.

SAGIP is a Tagalog word for rescue and it stands for Saklolo at Gabay ng Ina at Pamilya (Help and Guide for Mothers and Families), a crisis and rehabilitative center for women and child victims of abuse. It was created in 1998 through the collaboration of a non-government organization, the Zonta Club of Muntinlupa, and the Muntinlupa City government to help put a stop to the escalating incidence of physical and sexual abuse against women and children.

Every month, an average of 30 women and children seek refuge in SAGIP. Of those who have sought SAGIPs aid, one-third were physically abused and one-fourth were sexually violated. Two out of every five were abandoned, neglected, or experienced verbal, emotional or economic abuse. Many ran away from their own families or were rescued" by relatives or neighbors who have witnessed or heard of abuse.
Home Away from Home

To these women and children, SAGIP offers a safe haven where they can restore their self-worth and dignity. The center has an in-house psychologist, a volunteer lawyer and counselors to assist them in practically all aspects of crisis intervention, including surveillance and rescue. It maintains an emergency shelter where women and children are temporarily billeted while cases are being processed for further intervention and referral.

Among the children of SAGIP are a 13-year old girl and her 9-year old brother who were abandoned by their parents and were repeatedly abused by their stepparents until concerned individuals helped save them. Today, SAGIP is helping them recover from their traumatic conditions and lead normal lives.

SAGIP also has a 24-hour hotline manned by trained staff to make information and assistance accessible at all times, especially for clients whose lives may be in danger.

Outreach and education
An important component of SAGIPs work is to help prevent abuse by educating common folk about domestic violence and how to get help. SAGIP works closely with barangay and local government officials as well as other local and national organizations and agencies to reach out to more communities.

SAGIP is also enhancing its programs and services to better respond to the needs of its expanding client base, which now includes those coming from neighboring towns and cities. The centers emergency shelter is being improved to make it more home-like. Last year, SAGIP created support groups for battered women to assist them towards healing and empower them through group-work activities.
At the centers social services section, monitoring activities like home visitation and follow-up meetings need to be strengthened in order to keep track of the condition of individuals and their families and immediately identify other areas of intervention to prevent recurrence of abuse.
SAGIP also intends to step up its information, education and communication activities to increase community awareness on the issue and act collectively to curtail the incidence of domestic abuse and violence. Its experience has shown that such training programs are effective tools to enlighten people on issues of violence and encourage the community to be more vigilant and even participate in advocacy work.

   After laying the groundwork to support abused women and children, SAGIP hopes to reach more families and help them become responsible and caring citizens.

Stop Violence and Abuse Against Women and Children. To donate, send a check to Ayala Foundation USA at 255 Shoreline Drive, Suite 128, Redwood City, CA 94065, USA. Donations may also be remitted online via www.lingkodpinoy.org.
For more information about noteworthy projects in the Philippines, please call Myrna Araneta at (650) 598-3126 or e-mail us at afusa@ayalafoundation.org or visit our website at www.ayalafdnusa.org.