SAGIP Experience

SAGIP stands for Saklolo at Gabay sa Ina at Pamilya. It is a 24-hour crisis center for women and children who are victims/survivors of abuse of and violence. The following charts were their data on the abuses committed against women in Muntinlupa City.

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SAGIP, the acronym for Saklolo at Gabay Ng Ina at Pamilya sa Muntinlupa, is a 24-hour multi-agency Crisis Response Center founded in June 22,1998 by the Zonta Club of Muntinlupa & Environs Foundation, Inc. (ZCME) in partnership with the Muntinlupa City Mayor’s Office. The Center supports the Zonta International Strategies to Eradicate Violence Against Women and Children (ZISVAW) Program, which aims to use the global network of Zonta Clubs to eliminate all forms of violence against women and children.

Vision

A Compassionate and Violence-Free Philippines.

Mission

To Alleviate the Plight of Filipino Women and Children Against All Forms of Violence and to Strengthen the Family as the Basic Foundation of Our Society.

Objectives

1. To assist abused women and children by providing physical, medical and legal services.

2. To provide psychotherapeutic interventions for the healing and recovery of women and children who have undergone the trauma of physical and sexual abuse in order to restore their sense of self-worth and dignity.

3. To prevent and reduce the incidence of violence against women and children.

4. To provide continuous information, education and training on these concerns through an intensified advocacy campaign on Combat VAW-C, Parenting Effectiveness Services Seminars and on R.A. 9262 “Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Act of 2004” and its implementing rules and guidelines and on R.A. 7610 “Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation & Discrimination Act”.

5. To organize a support group of women survivors of violence who will serve as watchdogs in the prevention of such crimes in the barangay level.

Center-Based Program and Services

CRISIS INTERVENTION

1. 24-hour telephone hotlines: 862-0061, 862- 0063.

2. Rescue Assistance - assesses and conducts rescue operations in coordination with the local government and SAGIP social workers.

3. Processing Assistance - manages and processes walk-in clients referred by the local government’s Social Services Dept., Barangays and the Philippine National Police.

4. Medical Assistance - provides appropriate medical attention upon client's rescue and while they remain under the custody and protection of SAGIP.

5. Legal Assistance - accompanies the client respondent to court, monitors the progress of the case and clarifies judicial procedures to the client.

6. Psychological Counseling – conducts regular counseling sessions through an in-house psychologist and volunteer family counselors.

7. Temporary Shelter – provides clients with temporary accommodations (maximum of 2 weeks) in its 16-bed shelter under the 24-hr. supervision of a Shelter Coordinator, prior to referral to a permanent residential institution.

8. Therapy - conducts:

a. Group Therapy as support system for old and new clients.

b. Play Therapy for children in the Center

c. Dance Therapy for children to aid in their healing process

Community-Based Programs

A. COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND EDUCATION

1. Regular Barangay Orientation Seminars - these cover : 1) laws governing the rights of women and children; 2) SAGIP’s social action program; 3) the duties and responsibilities of Barangay officers when responding to abuse cases; and 4) skills necessary to improve the handling of domestic violence.

2. Weekly seminars and training on COMBAT VAW-C with emphasis on R.A. 9262 and R.A. 7610 in the barangays.

3. Weekly “Parenting Effectiveness Services Seminars” – these aim to train parents on responsible parenthood. The seminars include: 1) identifying parents’ roles and duties; 2) equipping them with skills on behavioral management; 3) teaching them techniques in the exercise of discipline; and 4) giving them insights on child development.

4. Regular Support Group Therapy Program for abused women and children - this provides a channel for clients to express their common angst and frustrations, assists them to overcome their trauma and helps them to rise above it by empowering them with their lawful rights and access to protection.

5. Development of information materials such as brochures, fliers, pamphlets and comics (e.g. “SAGIP Komiks”).

B. FAMILY THERAPY PROGRAM

SAGIP provides regular counseling services for the families of abuse victims to effect a total healing process for clients

C. POST-RESIDENTIAL CARE

· Follow-up visits

· Counseling

· Referrals for educational assistance

· Referrals for livelihood