The project will help build a safer home for abused and exploited girls in Manila needing center-based recovery and healing that is comprehensive, holistic and ladderized. It will also offer older girls recommended for independent living with comprehensive social preparation; a walk-in clinic for crisis intervention and counselling to those not needing residential care; as well as promote a sustained advocacy for the personal safety of children against all forms of abuse and violence.
As the living condition of Filipino families deteriorate, children become more vulnerable to abuse. DSWD reported 5,691 cases in 2012. However, child sexual abuse cases in the homes remained under reported. With the increasing number of referrals, the Foundation can no longer accept more than its 20-bed capacity. The Home's structures, mostly made of wood, are deteriorating and in fact have already endangered the lives of the residents with a fire that gutted the ceiling in September 2010.
The Project will provide a safe and spacious environment for the residents in care as well as provide access to services for walk-in clients. The expansion of the building will enable the Foundation to develop a functional ladderized homelife and group living arrangements and psychosocial interventions according to functional levels of healing from admission, strengthening phase for the healing and recovery until their social preparation for independent living while in the Group Home.
The 4-storey building will be a Center for Transformation of Children in difficult circumstances which is not only a residential facility for abused and exploited girls but also a community resource of the families, communities, school and parishes on issues related to child protection against all forms of abuse and exploitation. Consequently, more cases of sexual abuse will be reported and functional community-based preventive mechanisms are in place.
