PH Consulate General in Honolulu, Commission on Filipinos Overseas Host Dialogue on Domestic Violence, Women Empowerment

Secretary Francisco Acosta (rightmost) delivers his remarks during the Dialogue with Domestic Violence Action Center (DVAC) and Filipino women’s organizations. (Honolulu PCG photo)

HONOLULU 20 November 2019 — The Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu and the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) hosted a dialogue with the Domestic Violence Action Center (DVAC) and Filipino women’s organizations on 21 October 2019 at the Pacific Club in Honolulu to discuss issues affecting women, especially migrant Filipinos married to foreigners.

During the meeting, CFO Secretary Francisco Acosta shared the common concerns of migrant Filipinos in areas they have visited, especially women who are married to foreign spouses. Among the challenges that these women face are the language and cultural barriers, financial dependency, emotional manipulation, and threats of deportation. These conditions make these migrant women susceptible to abuse by their foreign partners.

CFO Supervising Emigrant Services Officer Janet Ramos further elaborated on the programs of the government that addresses human trafficking through information dissemination and counselling, particularly the Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) conducted by their agency to migrating Filipinos. She also spoke about their cooperation with law enforcement agencies to apprehend and prosecute perpetrators of human trafficking and domestic violence.

Meanwhile, DVAC Deputy Director Marci Lopes shared some of their programs that provide assistance to victims of domestic violence and abuse.

Participants to the meeting agreed to work more closely and pursue further dialogue to address the stigma and the culture of silence surrounding domestic violence in the Filipino community.

CFO and DVAC hope to strengthen their cooperation through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between their agencies. Filipino women organizations have committed to do more and participate in further discussions and information dissemination regarding domestic violence, human trafficking, and women empowerment.

DVAC, a non-profit organization founded in 1990, aims to alleviate the problem of domestic abuse in Hawaii. They work with various stakeholders, including the government, local associations and agencies, and community organizations in delivering legal advice, counselling, and other services to victims of domestic violence. Survivor Advocacy Services Vice President Cristina Arias noted that Filipino women are among their top clients at DVAC. One Filipina survivor of domestic abuse shared her experience which inspired the attending leaders of Filipino women’s organization to take stronger action against domestic violence.    

Incidents of domestic violence can be reported by calling the Philippine Consulate General’s Assistance to Nationals Desk at (808) 253-9446 or DVAC Hotline at (808) 531-3771. END

Cristina Arias of DVAC shares their organization’s experience in dealing with Filipina survivors of domestic abuse. (Honolulu PCG photo)

Deputy Consul General Angelica Escalona welcomes participants to the Dialogue. (Honolulu PCG photo)

Filipino women’s organizations in Hawaii share their views on how various stakeholders can work together in addressing the issue of domestic violence and abuse. (Honolulu PCG photo)

Secretary Francisco Acosta (standing, sixth from left) with Madame Araceli Jimeno (standing, seventh from left) and members of the Philippine Consulate General, DVAC, CFO, and Filipino women’s organizations. (Honolulu PCG photo)

For more information, visit  https://www.honolulupcg.dfa.gov.ph, or https://www.facebook.com/PHinHonolulu/.