The Sidlakan Women’s Crisis Center under the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) has continuously provided aid to children and women who have become victims of violence.
Established on August 14, 2008, the center has been providing services to women and children for 16 years now.
Center Overseer Rosabelle Diacamus told the City Information Office (CIO) that the center catered to 33 clients in 2024.
Fourteen children are currently residing at the center. The children are also studying at the Alternative Learning System (ALS).
She said clients can stay in the center for six months, but there are those who stay longer because it is still not safe for them to go back to their community.
She said clients will be returned to their family based on the social worker’s assessment.
“Mangayo ta og assessment kung safe na ba na’ng bata or ang babae sa ilahang kauilan. Dili ta pwede nga kung gusto lang niya mubalik kay dili ta gusto nga mubalik ang any form of abuse nga ilahang naagian (We ask for assessment to determine whether the child or woman is safe to go home. We cannot just let them go because we do not want them to suffer the same abuse),” she said.
Diacamus said the center provides a range of services including clothing, food, shelter, legal counselling, skills training, and psychological support to help the victims reintegrate into society.
She said residents are also engaged in soap-making. Proceeds from the product are given to the clients once they are discharged.
She said that for 2025, they will continue to improve their connections with other partner offices and agencies, and provide their clients with more effective and efficient services.
The center is located at SIR New Matina, Davao City. For assistance, Dabawenyos may also contact the number 09630798241. CIO
