PRESS RELEASE
WDC-34-2020
10 DECEMBER 2020
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. and the Filipino Young Leaders Program (FYLPRO) co-hosted a webinar entitled, “Stop Domestic Violence” in line with the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women and International Human Rights Day on 10 December 2020.
Observed from 25 November to 12 December, the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women is an advocacy campaign that is observed annually as mandated by Proclamation 1172 s. 2006 in the Philippines.
“Let us be resolved in our commitment to stopping domestic violence and ending the violation of the rights and dignity of anyone who is forced to endure such experience. We must do our part in ensuring that all of us, regardless of gender, ethnicity, social status, and creed, live in a world free of discrimination and violence”, said Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel G. Romualdez during his video-recorded opening remarks.
In his remarks, FYLPRO President Joshua Ang Price imparted his personal story of surviving domestic violence as a child, and expressed hope that the discussion would “help women in similar situations find the courage and resources to get out of those and find themselves in a better place.”
Christine Lee, an Emmy-nominated storyteller with over 10 years of professional work experience as a TV journalist, shared her experience as a domestic violence survivor, and identified warning signs of violence within intimate relationships. Christine continues her advocacy as the President and CEO of Kimbop TV LLC – a storytelling brand that talks about business and empowering her fellow survivors of domestic violence.
“Shame and stigma discourage so many people from telling anybody about what they are experiencing. But I think events like this help to dispel that sense of shame and let people know it’s okay and that they are not alone,” she said during her presentation.
Joyce King, Chief Counsel at the Frederick County State’s Attorney’s Office and FYLPRO alumna, focused on the fundamental rights of domestic violence victims, regardless of their immigration and citizenship status, and what they should expect when seeking legal assistance.
While navigating the U.S. justice system can be very overwhelming, Joyce emphasized that resorting to legal means, such as obtaining a protective order, is one of the most effective ways to save a victim’s life.
Anajay Jayme, a California-licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a founding partner of Bridges to Healing Counseling and Training Center, presented on prevention strategies, resources for survivors, and what allies can do to better support survivors, especially in the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities where domestic violence is typically not openly discussed.
The event was moderated by Dr. Joyce Javier, an Associate Professor of Clinical Pediatrics at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, and a Senior Advisor for FYLPRO’s Caretaker Project. FYLPRO’s COVID-19 Task Force developed the Caretaker Project in response to the ongoing pandemic and to tackle the specific needs of Filipinos in the diaspora and back home. The project features a virtual help desk, Tayo Help, which contains a list of resources and information on domestic violence.
“Stop Domestic Violence” is accessible on the Embassy’s Facebook page and questions for the panelists may be anonymously submitted to info@phembassy-us.org. Please call 911 if a life-threatening situation arises from domestic violence. If you or anyone you know is experiencing domestic violence and would like to seek the Philippine Embassy’s assistance, you may call our Assistance-to-Nationals and Violence Against Women hotline (VAW) at +1 202 769 8049 or send an email to atn@phembassy-us.org.