Advisories & News
Press Release
Information Session Webinar on Violence Against Women (VAW) for Personnel of PCG Toronto and its Attached Government Agencies
2020-12-16
PR 75-2020
14 December 2020, Toronto, Ontario – In support of the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW) from 25 November to 12 December 2020, the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto conducted an online Information Session on Violence Against Women for its personnel and those of the attached agencies on 9 December 2020. The webinar was conducted by Ms. Maricela Lozano and Ms. Marybeth Durante, Manager and Customer Representative, respectively of the Interpreter Services Toronto, an employment purpose enterprise of the Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic (BSCC).
This is the second year that the Barbra Schlifer gave a seminar on Violence Against Women. Ms. Lozano and Ms. Durante discussed about abuse against women and domestic violence, especially during these challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic. They also reported on the correlation between abuse and power and the kinds and signs of abuse. Ms. Lozano mentioned the reasons why some women and girls do not report abuse and will not leave a relationship even if they are being abused. They also provided the contact information of the Canadian agencies where abused women can get help and assistance, including the BSCC.
The BSCC is a Toronto-based, non-profit agency that offers legal representation, professional counselling and multilingual interpretation to women experiencing violence. It was formed in 1987, with the Interpreter Services Toronto forming in 2009. It is a specialized clinic for women of all cultures and backgrounds experiencing violence. They work strictly with confidentiality for all their client’s cases and information is never shared outside of the client and their designated case worker without explicit consent. As a result of their services, their clients experience less isolation, more stability, and expanded personal agency within relationships. Some Filipino-Canadians like Ms. Durante with background on social works in the Philippines are also working with BSCC and similar specialized agencies in Canada.
A Q&A followed the VAW presentation, which was well-received by the officers and staff of the Consulate General and the personnel of the attached Philippine government agencies (POLO, Trade Office Section, SSS, and Pagibig). Consul General Orontes V. Castro presented Misses Lozano and Durante with Certificates of Appreciation to express his appreciation for conducting the online information session. He also emphasized the importance of such seminars for the Consulate General to gain knowledge and acquire skills in dealing with VAW cases to better serve distressed Filipinos under its jurisdiction, especially during this time of the COVID-19 pandemic. – END
