FOCUS GROUP DISCUSSION (FGD): Gender-Based Violence Referral Mechanism CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY The Oro Youth Development Council (Oro Youth) serves as a platform for youth organizations across various sectors to exert its influence and input its advocacies in the local governance. Respondent B of the said council shared that they are currently crafting an anti-discrimination ordinance. Respondent C of Island Kids opined that it is good that CdO has various local GBV policies but there is no proper information dissemination. She believes that the laws should be introduced to the schools and even the parents should be educated. For her, prevention is a better measure to combat GBV. According to her, GBV-related incidents could be avoided through information, education, communication campaigns (IECs). FUNCTIONALITY OF VAWC DESKS Respondent D of the Pilipina organization related that despite the presence of VAWC Desks in the barangays, the delivery of services by these VAWC Desks are very poor. She attributes this to the lack of skills and training that will enable the VAWC Desk Officers to optimally perform their functions. She also stated that the assignment of proficient VAWC Desk Officers is always affected by political will thereby affecting the quality of services provided by these desks. Respondent D cited as an example a case where the CCC, a GBV victim eventually ended up getting murdered (chop-chop) by her violent partner due to the late intervention of the barangay officials or the VAWC Desk. Respondent D opines that the late intervention is primarily because of the the lack of knowledge of the assigned officers in handling the case. Respondent B also pointed out that most VAWC Desks at the barangay have no clear process. Based on their experience, they were only being referred from one officer to another. She also shared that VAWC Desk Officers should be trained how to handle delicate situations or how to negotiate. Respondent F reiterated the importance of intervention while the violence is still ongoing which should be done at the barangay level since most of the projects are downloaded at their level for implementation. Respondent A stated that it is a sad reality that while VAWC Desks are present in almost all barangays in the City, there is a problem on efficiency and delivery of services due to either lack of training on the assigned personnel or the complete absence of an assigned personnel for the delivery of services. He also agreed that political will greatly affects the efficiency of the VAWC desks. Gender-Based Violence in CdO COMMON FORMS OF GBV Respondent E shared that rape among minors is a prevalent issue. She has tried helping victims as young as 2 years old. These are also the most difficult cases for her to handle considering the toddler’s ability to narrate the abuse committed. Page 14 of 16