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Remain steadfast in the fight against sexual violence

Dr. Allyson Belagan retired as an official of the Department of Education (DepEd) in February 14, 2005. A day before this, Secretary Florencio Abad of the Department of Education was in Baguio for a consultation with the city’s public school teachers. It was seen as an occasion by Innabuyog, the Gabriela Legal Support Groups and other sympathetic organizations and individuals to bring to Abad’s attention, the issue of the unjust reinstatement of Dr. Allyson Belagan as City Schools Superintendent. Belagan was convicted of sexual harassment by the Supreme Court in October 2004. From the point of view of DepEd officials, it was not the right forum for the groups to raise the issue.

For us who observed and monitored the developments of the case since 1994, that was the eleventh hour and we believe that the DepEd will not care anymore nor bother to talk about the Belagan case after he has retired from office. It will be better left filed as one of the administrative cases the government agency handled. However, if it was disappointing for us, it was much more frustrating for his victim-survivors. The Supreme Court decision was a victory but the reinstatement of Belagan was a nightmare. It is a big insult not just to Belagan’s victim-survivors but to all Filipinos craving for justice.

The case does not end with Belagan’s retirement. We have gained valuable lessons which we hope other women victims of sexual violence in the workplace would refer to when they decide to break their silence. The key words are courage and confidence for the victims, and understanding and support from society.

The Anti-Sexual Harassment Law, which has been in place for a decade now, has not stopped nor prevented sexual harassment as incidents and cases continue to be reported daily. Worse, offenders go scot-free. Unless we deeply understand the traumatic situation of victims of sexual violence, we cannot truly develop sympathy and chart proper course of action for them and with them.

This is not just a cause for women’s organizations like Innabuyog-Gabriela. This is a cause that everyone who believes in human dignity and justice should take up. We must not wait for the next tragedy to happen. Knowing our rights as individuals and as women is key to confronting this possibility. And for victim-survivors, building inner strength and finding the voice to seek justice may seem like a lonely battle. The will to unite with others in similar circumstances and rise above the tragedy brings one to greater awareness and sense of purpose.

Where people in power figure as the offenders, we must all the more raise our voices and think about the values that we want the youth and our children to learn from. #

Home > Op-ed > WOMEN'S FRONT > February 20, 2005 | Back to top