Last November, Stairway conducted the first ever training of US Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs) to the Philippines in a two-day child sexual abuse prevention training workshop.  Stairway resource persons facilitated the two-day session for thirty Child, Youth and Family Sector PCVs and their Philippine counterparts for 2009.  The Peace Corps Volunteers have committed themselves to two years of service for Philippine organizations working with marginalized Filipino children, youth and families.  The volunteers participated in discussions and group workshops that examined gender and age biases, explored issues surrounding child sexual abuse and exploitation, built skills in empowering children against abuses and communicating with survivors, and reviewed relevant local and international laws.

Stairway conducts US Peace Corps Volunteers’ workshop on Child Sexual Abuse Prevention

The first ever training on Child Sexual Abuse Prevention (CSAP) for the United States (US) Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs) to the Philippines was conducted by Stairway Foundation from the 16^th  to 17^th of November 2009 at the Stairway campus in Puerto Galera.

Stairway Resource Persons facilitated a two-day CSAP Training for thirty Child, Youth and Family Sector PCVs and Philippine counterparts (Filipino partners) for 2009.  The PCVs have committed themselves to two years of service for Philippine organizations working with marginalized Filipino children, youth and families.

The thirty PCVs and their Philippine counterparts participated in discussions and group workshops that examined gender and age biases, explored issues surrounding child sexual abuse and exploitation, built skills in empowering children against abuses and communicating with survivors, and reviewed relevant local and international laws.

During the discussions on what PCVs can expect in their assigned sites, assisting facilitator Whitney Schlotzhauer shared some of her experiences in working for the less privileged children and families in Sorsogon. She recalled that her work in the Philippines allowed her to witness the resiliency of the girls who all had experiences of sexual abuse. They “astound me,” she mused.  “What it does to you as a volunteer--will change you. When you work in the center and see them become alive, it will change you.”

Whitney had been a PCV for two years now. She is currently assigned in Bicol, in a shelter for girl survivors of sexual abuse. Whitney was also a key figure in the formation of the Philippine Association of Social Workers and has led the formation of a regional network among the Philippine National Police offices in service of abused children.

Understanding the child survivor

Participants’ high level of awareness on the psychology of survivors of child sexual abuse showed when they were asked to list possible reasons that children do not tell others about the abuse. Shame, ignorance, fear of rejection, fear of retaliation from the abuser, self-blaming, fear of scandal, apathy from others, low self esteem, family separation anxiety, feeling of powerlessness, feeling of deserving the abuse, being made to promise not to tell, knowing the abuser, and being groomed into the sexual activity were some reasons listed.  For reasons that a survivor will tell others about the abuse, the participants listed anger or being indignant, having someone whom she/he can trust, knowledge of rights, knowing that it is not her/his fault, an accepting and comfortable environment, knowing others who have spoken against abuse, feeling of being safe and wanting to put a stop to the abuse.

Viewing the Stairway animations “Daughter,” “A Good Boy” and “Red Leaves Falling,” the participants expressed the heaviness of the issue of child sexual abuse and exploitation.   Cary, a participant, remarked that being in the PCV program and being able to “say that this is what I learned and this is what I know… will create such a ripple effect. It sounds heavy but it is not as hard as it seems.”

Sealing their commitment to CSAP, the participants planned to conduct CSAP orientations to service providers and clients in their assigned sites and conduct information and education campaigns to raise public awareness. Other plans included partnerships with local schools, conduct of art therapy or art workshops, creation of resource materials, research on the occurrence of child sexual abuse, networking with social workers in schools, establishing linkage with local police and participating in Local Child Protection Council meetings.