sa isip ko. Hindi ko alam kung anong dapat gawin (All the more when I think of the welfare of my children, I think if I could manage along because there are so many restrictions or a lot of thoughts get into my mind. I don’t know what to do).” Asked if she would file a case against him for VAW as a woman, S11’s response was, “Yes, siguro if sakali naman na hindi ko na kaya lalapit na ako at hihingi ng legal support para makasuhan siya at mabigyan ng parusa sa pananakit sa akin, dahil pati mga anak di man nasasaktan ng physical, emotional namin dahil nakikita nila kung ano’ng ginagawa sa akin (Yes, maybe, if ever I can no longer manage I would approach him for legal support to charge him and have him be punished for the pain he gives me, because even when the children don’t get hurt physically, they get emotionally hurt especially seeing him hurting me).” Researchers’ Observations: S11 is a victim of abuse—physically, emotionally and psychologically. While she acknowledges her partner’s commission of violence upon her, she continuously “gives him a chance,” and silently hopes for her partner to offer her marriage one day. Analysis: S11 is abused and is easily wooed back by her partner. While she reports the abuse, she also makes excuses to justify her partner’s hurting towards her. She however needs to be advised to be in control of the situation, being the woman. Survivor 12 S12 is from Tumaga, and has been living together with her partner for 20 years along with their 4 children. The first incident of violence she experienced was in 2019, when he slapped, shouted at and insulted her. She was also threatened to be cut-off from financial support. When she sought help from his mother, tables were turned and she was scolded by the mother of his partner. Since the mother-in-law started scolding her, she would fromtime to time do so, that tolerates her partner. “Inisip ko bakit niya nagawa yun (I thought why he did it),” she said, adding, “s’yempre iniisip ko muna mga anak ko. Wala namang magulang na di iniisip ang anak (certainly i first thought of my children. There are no parents that do not think of [their] children).” “May pamilya naman ako na tutulong sa akin kung anong dapat gawin at in case na magkagan’on, kumpyansa naman ako na pwede akong lumapit sa awtoridad upang magawang hakbang ang kanyang pananakit (I also 42