Orientation Guide on the IEC Referral Pathway The IEC referral pathway underlines the mandated
for CP and GBV Cases services for survivors with the following services:
TY Mangkhut Response 1. City/Municipal Social Welfare and
March 2019
Development (C/MSWDO) - Service includes
counseling (i.e. psychological support services);
What is this IEC referral pathway for child alternative family care arrangements, family
protection (CP) and gender-based violence (GBV) tracing and reunification, child-friendly & gender-
cases? sensitive assessments; case management;
It illustrates a referral pathway for persons who know referral; recovery and reintegration services;
of cases or who may themselves be survivors of abuse, follow-up; closing of case/s.
neglect and exploitation such as rape, sexual
exploitation, human trafficking, and child abuse. It
2. Safety and Security - The Philippine
aims to provide direction and guidance to survivors National Police (PNP) ensures safety;
and/or witnesses of CP issues and GBV by outlining the investigation; protection from perpetrator;
types of abuses, neglect, and exploitation that should referral; records complaints; manage cases with
be reported by the community. other service providers.
The IEC is divided into three sections namely: what to
3. Health and Medical Services - A survivor
report, to whom can we report (entry points for
may go directly to a medical facility or be referred
reporting) and what are the available services for the by the police or the C/MSWDO for provision of
survivors. immediate medical treatment and other medical
services. The Women and Children Protection Unit
It identifies mandated, culturally recognized and of a Provincial Hospital is primarily in-charge of
additional partners as entry points for survivors. The handling women and children survivors of
mandated entry points for survivors are the Violence against Women and Children (VAWC).
medical/health services, psychosocial/economic
support, safety and security, and legal/access to
4. Shelter/Safe House – Women shelter’s
justice whilst, culturally recognized entry points are
includes provisions of safe and temporary shelter
the IPs, barangay council, trusted adult, health center, to survivors.
social worker and camp manager. Similarly, the
community identifies various NGOs as additional
agencies they feel comfortable reporting to. 5. Legal/Access to Justice - The survivor
may contact directly the Public Prosecutor’s
1
Office, the PAO or any of the legal associations for sensitive and child-friendly manner to ensure safety,
legal information and advice. recovery and reintegration of the survivor.
This IEC referral pathway has been designed for the Prior to posting the IEC referral pathway, please
community in order to prevent and respond to various ensure:
child protection concerns and gender-based violence. 1. Quick orientation on the referral pathway needs to
It underwent a process of service mapping and be conducted with the community and service
validation activity with various stakeholders from providers.
government line agencies, children from Alcala and 2. The community and service providers identify
Baggao and members of the Regional Council for the strategic areas for the IEC material.
Welfare of Children, Region II. 3. Information required by the IEC material should be
filled clearly prior to posting. Note that names and
Who is the intended audience of the referral numbers/hotlines should be checked, verified as
pathway? well as updated, if necessary.
The intended audience of the referral pathway is 4. Separate consultations with children and young
everyone in the community. Primarily the survivors, people on the referral procedures will be
family of the survivors, the community who provides conducted in order to facilitate a child sensitive
support to the survivors, service providers and other reporting, and in recognition of the rights of
stakeholders in the community. children regarding their participation in issues that
affect them. Trained community officials and youth
How can this referral pathway be useful to the facilitators will facilitate the consultation. A
community? separate guide for consultation shall be developed
The primary purpose of this referral pathway is to help to ensure that we do no harm to children.
the community in identifying, reporting and providing 5. Provide handouts on the signs and symptoms of
support to survivors. abuse in order to help the community identify or
spot cases of abuse and report it immediately.
It also targets service providers to ensure delivery of
appropriate services is done on a timely, gender-
Additional References
Guiding Principles
Best interest of the child. All assistance and protection provided to a child should be based on the principle of the
2
child’s best interest, which is of paramount importance. It includes respecting and realizing all the rights of a child.
Comprehensive continuum of care. A holistic approach is necessary to guarantee an effective recovery and
reintegration of the survivor of violence. As such, a comprehensive continuum of care in accordance with the
economic, physical, psychological and social condition of the survivor should be made available in collaboration with
other agencies/organizations. A referral mechanism must be in place to assist the survivor gain access to all
available services and resources in the community. Programs and services must be child-sensitive and gender-
responsive to the specific needs of women and children.
Confidentiality and right to privacy. The case manager/service provider should gather only relevant information
and any release or disclosure of such information must be with the consent of the survivor. The referral system must
protect the privacy of the survivor and confidentiality of information. No identifying information should be released
to the media or the public.
Do No Harm. It is a core principle that refers to first do no harm; in other words, that efforts must be made to
minimize possible negative effects and maximize possible benefits. It is the responsibility of those engaged in (aid,
development, research, child protection response, etc.) to protect individuals from harm, as well as ensure that they
experience the greatest possible benefits of involvement.
Empowerment. There are a variety of understandings of the term empowerment due to its widespread usage. One
of the understandings is that it refers to the process of increasing personal, interpersonal or economic and political
power so that individuals, families and communities can take action to improve their situation. The idea of power is
at the root of the term empowerment and the focus is on enhancing innate strengths and capacities of survivor to
make decisions for her/himself assist her/him to secure access to and control over needed resources and acquire
knowledge and skills to function independently.
3
Gender-sensitivity. It refers to the aim of recognizing that women’s perceptions, experiences and interests may
be different from those of men, arising from an understanding of women’s different social position and gender roles.
It takes into account the societal and cultural factors involved in gender-based exclusion, violence and discrimination
in both public and private life, and focuses on instances of structural disadvantage in the positions and roles of
women. The provision of gender-sensitive services necessarily includes a rights-based approach, i.e. ensuring
women’s agency and participation in all stages of responding to their needs, their respect and dignity as their
inherent right.
Inclusive. Protection, participation and distribution of resources must be inclusive, avoid existing patterns of
discrimination and encourage marginalized sections of the community, including women and men, girls and boys,
and persons of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities to be involved. Women and children are not a
homogenous group and any service and/or response should be provided without discrimination on any grounds.
Individual treatment and care. While recognizing that survivors share a number of common experiences and
circumstances, the service provider should consider their individuality not only in terms of age and sex but also
socio-cultural and family background, personality characteristics and experiences throughout the cycle of
violence/violent incident. Provision of services must be appropriate and relevant to the individual needs and
circumstances of the survivor, based on assessment conducted by the referring and/or receiving agency. Special
consideration must be undertaken for children considering their level of development and needs.
Informed consent. All assistance to the survivor should proceed on the basis of her/his full and informed consent.
It is incumbent on the service provider to explain relevant actions, policies and procedures from the initial contact
with or admission to the agency until the termination of the assistance, in such a way that the survivor understands
before giving consent to any action or proposal. If necessary, an interpreter of the same sex should assist the
survivor. For a child, her/his views and opinions must be heard and taken into account. Information must be given to
4
the child appropriate to her/his level of maturity and understanding. It is recommended that the survivor indicate
her/his consent in writing. The parents/guardians shall sign documents on behalf of their child after considering the
child’s opinion on the matter.
Non-discrimination. Every individual is entitled to equal protection and rights regardless of age, race, color,
nationality, language, status, religion/faith, political or other opinion, ethnic/cultural or social origin, disability,
property, birth or other status. Therefore, provision of services and all actions related to the victim-survivor by the
agencies/organizations in the referral network should not be contingent on any of the aforementioned factors.
Participation, self-determination and right to information. This is in recognition of the right and need of the
survivor to make her own informed choices and decisions on all matters related to her life. The case
manager/service provider should provide opportunities for the survivor to express her/his views and participate in
the decision-making process. For a meaningful participation, the survivor must have access to accurate and
complete information about her/his legal options and services available or other information as tools in making
crucial decisions about her/his future. A child’s level of development and understanding must be considered in areas
of participation and decision-making.
Respect for and protection of human rights. As Violence against Women (VAW) is a human rights violation, all
assistance and protection efforts should strive for the restoration of the survivor’s rights and prevent further
violations. The survivors themselves should be made aware of their rights and responsibilities and all service
providers/agencies should respect these rights.
Right to access to justice refers to the ability of people to seek and obtain a remedy through formal or informal
institutions of justice and in conformity with human rights standards. Survivors must be provided legal counseling
and information on the various legal options, processes, procedures and timelines in seeking protection orders, ling
5
complaints, witness protection and compensation and understanding the justice system, among others.
Definition of Terms
Child survivors are those who survive an event where they were:
Abused – physical, sexual, emotional and psychological abuse. Physical abuse may involve hitting, shaking,
throwing, poisoning, burning or scalding, drowning, suffocating, or otherwise causing physical harm to a
child. Physical harm may also be caused when a parent or carer misrepresents the symptoms of, or
deliberately induces illness in a child. Emotional abuse is the persistent emotional maltreatment of a child
such as to cause severe and persistent adverse effects on her/his emotional development. It may involve but
is not limited to the following actions toward the child: isolating or excluding; stigmatizing; failing to provide a
supportive environment; main caregiver/s not responding to a child’s emotional needs; humiliating; bullying;
excessive, disproportionate scolding, shouting, bickering and swearing at a child; making comments that show
discrimination or humiliation of a child; persistent teasing (such as calling a child hurtful names). Sexual
Abuse involves forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities, including
prostitution, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening 1.
Neglected – abandoned and/or deliberately unattended by parent/s or guardians; as well as the persistent
failure to meet a child’s basic physical and/or psychological needs that is likely to result in serious impairment
of her/his health or development. Neglect may occur during pregnancy as a result of maternal substance
abuse. As soon as a child is born, neglect may involve a parent or carer failing to provide adequate food and
clothing, shelter (such as exclusion from home or abandonment), failing to protect a child from physical and
1 Tahderiyyah Protocol Reporting and Referring Child Abuse, Violence, Exploitation, Bullying and Discrimination And
Other Similar Acts, 2017
6
emotional harm or danger, failure to ensure adequate supervision (such as the use of inadequate caregivers),
or failure to ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment. It may also involve neglect of, or
unresponsiveness to, a child’s basic emotional needs;
Exploited – commercial sexual exploitation (prostitution and pornography), economic exploitation (child
labor), trafficked children and other exploitative situations.
Violence against Women (VAW) is any act of gender-based violence that results or is likely to result in physical,
sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation
of liberty whether occurring in public or private life.
Gender-based violence is violence that is directed at a person on the basis of gender or sex. Thus, it is any
violence inflicted on women because of their sex.
Gender diversity is equitable or fair representation between genders. It most commonly refers to an equitable
ratio of men and women, but also include non-binary gender who identify as transgender, gender fluid, intersex,
gender questioning and gender queer people. Many gender identities exist outside of masculine and feminine.
Gender diversity is natural and unique to every individual.
Grave Child Rights Violations (GCRVs) monitor, report and respond to six grave violations that are committed
against children (or persons below 18 years of age), in the context of armed conflict.
1. Killing or maiming of children – Killing includes any action that results to the death of one or more
children. Maiming, on the other hand, includes any action that results to permanent or debilitating injury,
defacing, scarring, and mutilation to one or more children. Torture can also be reported under this category. It
should be noted that psychological injuries are not covered under this violation.
7
2. Recruitment or use of children by armed forces or armed groups – Recruitment includes acts of
voluntary, compulsory, or forced conscription or enlistment to any armed force or armed group. The use of
children in the context of armed conflict includes the use of minors in any capacity, such as, but not limited
to: fighters, cooks, porters, messengers, sexual slaves or spies. This violation also includes cases of “labelling”
or “associating” a child with an armed group/ force as well as cases of “detention for alleged association”.
3. Attacks on schools or hospitals – Attacks on schools and hospitals involves the occupation, shelling,
targeting for use in propaganda, destruction (partially or completely), and causing harm to the school
(including madrasa) or hospital facility and its personnel. This violation comprises following sub-categories:
• Attacks on schools/hospitals (infrastructure)
• Attacks on personnel
• Threats of attacks on personnel
• Military use of schools
• Close proximity to schools
4. Rape or other sexual violence against children – This violation includes acts of sexual violence such as
rape, enforced sterilization, forced prostitution, forced marriage or pregnancy, as well as sexual slavery.
5. Abduction of children – Enforced disappearance of a child either temporarily or permanently for the
purpose of any form of exploitation of the child, for example, unlawful removal, seizure, recruitment,
information gathering, forced labour, sexual exploitation or abuse, hostage-taking
6. Denial of humanitarian access to children – Denial of Humanitarian Access involves the intentional
barring by physical force or administrative barriers, of humanitarian aid, supplies, services, and personnel,
into and out of an affected area.
Violence against women and children (VAWC) refers to any act or a series of acts committed by any person
8
against a woman who is his wife, former wife, or against a woman with whom the person has or had a sexual or
dating relationship, or with whom he has a common child, or against her child whether legitimate or illegitimate,
within or without the family abode, which results in or is likely to result in physical, sexual, psychological harm or
suffering, or economic abuse including threats of such acts, battery, assault, coercion, harassment or arbitrary
deprivation of liberty.
Sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) refers to any act that is perpetrated against a person's will and is
based on gender norms and unequal power relationships. It includes physical, emotional or psychological and sexual
violence, and denial of resources or access to services. Violence includes threats of violence and coercion. SGBV
inflicts harm on women, girls, men and boys, LGBTIQA+ 2 and is a severe violation of several human rights.
Survivor refers to anyone including women, men, children as well as non-binary gender persons who have suffered
sexual and gender-based violence. While s/he should be treated with compassion and sensitivity, referring to
her/him as a ‘survivor’ recognizes her/his strength and resiliency.
Referral is the process by which the immediate needs of a survivor are assessed and are helped to gain access to a
comprehensive and supportive services provided by various agencies/organizations.
Referral system is a co-operative framework through which government agencies carry out their obligations to
protect and promote the human rights of survivors of violence, coordinating their efforts in a strategic partnership
with NGO/FBOs and civil society as a whole. The main purpose is to ensure the survivor rights are respected and to
provide an effective way to refer the survivors to support services in order to address their various needs.
Sources:
2 A collection of identities short for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, + i.e., other diverse sexual
orientations and gender identities.
9
1. Guidelines in the Establishment and Management of a Referral System on Violence against Women at the Local
Government Unit Level. Philippine Commission on Women andInter Agency Council on Violence against Women and their
Children.
2. Protocol for case management of child victims of abuse, neglect and exploitation. Committee for the Special Protection of
Children (CSPC). 11 August 2011.
10