The Department of Social Welfare and Development advocates respect for and protection of women and girls.
Rape is a violation of human rights; it is unacceptable! No one regardless of age, sex, physical appearance, social status, race, sexual orientation or even profession deserves to be raped.
The DSWD is one of the government agencies whose mandate includes rehabilitation and empowerment of victims/survivors of violence, especially the sexually abused. We maintain centers and institutions that provide services geared toward this end.
Rape is a serious and traumatic experience. Using it as a subject of joke is an insult to the victims, survivors and their families.
If we cannot be instruments for their healing, the least we can do as citizens is to be cautious with our words and actions.
Let us work collectively for a society where every person is valued and human dignity is upheld!
—CEZARIO JOEL C. ESPEJO, director, Social Marketing Service, for the Department of Social Welfare and Development