DAGUPAN CITY – An improved crime reporting system and effective public awareness campaign resulted in increased reporting of rape cases and other forms of abuse against women and children in Pangasinan, the police said.
Supt. Ferdinand De Asis, provincial police spokesperson, clarified that the increase in number of victims can be attributed to the improved reporting of cases and not necessarily an actual surge in rape cases and other kinds of abuse or on the failure of the police to thwart criminality.
The Pangasinan Police Provincial Office (PPPO) has noted a 32-percent increase in rape cases and other forms of abuse involving both women and children last year.
De Asis said there were 228 cases committed against women and children recorded in 2014 while some 302 incidents were filed last year. Of the 302 cases, there were 50 women and 252 children who filed either rape cases or other forms of abuse.
“The rise in cases of abuse towards women and children is disheartening, yet the surge is an indication that the public is now aware that these incidents should be reported to the authorities," he said.
Public awareness is a result of the intensified information dissemination campaign made by police personnel in cities and municipalities to encourage more victims to come forward for police intervention, he said during the “Pantongtongan Tayo” radio program of PIA-Pangasinan on Tuesday.
“Despite an amicable settlement, the police also continue to file cases and let the court decide on it. The PPPO monitors the filed cases and we are happy to know from the Office of the Prosecutor that conviction rate is high,” De Asis added.
He said the PNP, with the assistance of other government agencies, maintains help desks to assist victims of violence against women and children and to encourage the reporting of crimes. (PIA-1, Pangasinan)
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