Baguio City, Philippines – Though home should be a haven for everyone, it is not always the case.
Over the past years, figures have shown that sexual abuse has been happening at home. In fact, rape cases were among the concerns during the Covid-19 pandemic, when people were forced to stay inside their houses.
During the height of the pandemic and community quarantine in the Philippines from March 17 to May 23, 2020, it was revealed that eight individuals were being raped every day.
Among the places in the country that recorded sexual assault cases that happened in residential places is Baguio City.
As cited by the Baguio City Public Information Office, rape cases in the city have dropped to 36 in 2023 from 44 in 2022. It was also revealed that 64 incidents of rape were recorded by the police in 2021; 48 in 2020; and 66 in 2019.
Of these figures from 2019 to 2023, the majority of the cases happened at residential places like houses and condo units. Likewise, some incidents also occurred at commercial buildings and business establishments.
Most suspects not related to victim
Most of the documented victims of sexual assault in Baguio City from 2019 to 2023 are female, ages 1 to 17 years old, according to PMaj. Harriet Bulad, BCPO Investigation and Detective Management Unit Deputy Chief.
Bulad further relayed that most of the suspects were in the 18 to 76 years age bracket and that the majority of them were not related to the victim.
The police officer explained that some of the cases happened after the victim and offender had a drinking spree; and after some of the victims met the offenders through social media.
As for those committed by relatives or neighbors, some of them happened because the minor victims’ parents entrusted their kids to their kin or neighbors because they had to go to work.
With these cases, the Baguio City Police Office, under the leadership of PCol. Francisco Bulwayan Jr., recommended interventions like strict implementation of city ordinances on curfew and selling alcohol to minors; intensified anti-rape campaign; educating the young ones about ‘good and bad touch’; and regular meetings with barangay officials and parents.
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