20 have been denied justice and/or forced to accept the arrangement. Moreover, priority for anti-VAWC measures are inconsistent and depends on whoever chairs the barangay. Across all regions, language barriers in communicating with local populations hinder the whole process of tending to GBV victims: from failed attempts to educating the public, to the inability to gather case information, and then pushing cases forward to responsible agencies. This especially affects those from remote areas who speak different languages as well as deaf or those who are hard of hearing. It is reported that majority of government service providers are still in need of special training in handling cases of children who are also survivors of violence. Service providers and the overall atmosphere of agencies may be quite intimidating for already confused and terrified victims of violence. There is a general distrust among GBV victims for government systems brought by the lack of understanding and awareness regarding the law and the legal process, as well as the slow progress in GBV case management. On the other hand, most service providers feel that women are indecisive and tend to withdraw their cases once they are intimidated or start to feel sorry for perpetrators. Due to several gaps in the management of GBV cases, more complainants drop out even prior to beginning the legal processes. In regions 1, 2, 4A, 5, 8, and 11, many withdraw their cases soon after reporting the act of violence to their barangay officials. Some women decide not to pursue the case during the investigation stage for fear oof being unable to prove their experience and the fear of re. Some women leave the process after counseling or a medical examination, in some instances, when assigned to doctors who are male. Some women go further but cease pursuing their cases when the legal process has taken too long without any resolution. Many women run out of finances to proceed with their cases. A five year old PWD was raped in region 2 but the family could not file a case against the perpetrator because apart from receiving threats, they could not afford service fees. In the CARAGA region, some women repeatedly experienced battery and even survived stabbing by their husbands. None of them were able to file criminal cases because they could not afford the prolonged process. Recommendations by Government Service Providers and Community CSOs Government service providers and CSOs shared recommendations to improve the management of GBV cases in their regions. A detailed list may be found arranged according to regions in the annex section of this report. Following are key recommendations made during FGDs. Both groups recognize the need for a much more aggressive awareness raising on women’s human rights and on GBV across all regions especially in far flung areas. In region 11, for example, information on GBV do not reach Lumads who are more vulnerable to GBV. As such they are unaware where to seek assistance or help in cases