The Department of Social Services and Development – Bacolod in partnership with the International Justice Mission (IJM) Philippines, Department of Justice, and Bacolod City Police Office, officially opened the five-day Videotaped In-Depth Disclosure Interview (VIDI) Training at Acacia Hotel, Bacolod City, on Monday, Sept. 21.
DSSD Head Richelle Verdeprado-Mangga emphasized the importance of making the justice and protection process more sensitive to the experiences and needs of children, particularly during interviews that may become a lasting part of their experience, a press release from the Bacolod City Communications Office said.
“As among the frontline professionals, our goal is to ensure that our way of life is child-sensitive and trauma-informed. At the heart of everything that we do is the child,” Verdeprado-Mangga said.
She encouraged the participants to use the training as an opportunity to learn from one another, share experiences and challenges, and strengthen collaboration among agencies involved in the child protection system.
The training, which runs until September 25, brings together frontline professionals involved in the protection, investigation, health, and prosecution of cases involving children.
Participants include personnel from the Women and Children Protection Desk (WCPD), Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD), City Prosecutor’s Office, and City Health Office, as well as guest participants from Region VI.
The training focuses on the legal and foundational concepts surrounding cases of Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Material (CSAEM), including the legal elements of related crimes and victim-centered investigation.
Verdeprado-Mangga also called on the participants to deepen their inter-agency collaboration and reaffirmed their shared commitment to pursuing justice in a manner that protects and helps children heal.
The initiative is also aligned with Mayor Greg Gasataya’s previous issuance of an Executive Order establishing the Support and Action for Families in Emergency (SAFE) Hotline, which aims to strengthen measures for the protection of children vulnerable to OSAEC-related cases, the press release said.
“Let us take this opportunity to strengthen our collective commitment and to ensure that our pursuit of justice always protects, always heals,” Verdeprado-Mangga said.*
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