Break The Silence Run: Stop Deaf Child Sexual Abuse

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CEBU CITY, Philippines -- Gualandi Volunteer Service Programme, Inc (GVSP) continues its mission for the Deaf community to live in a Deaf-inclusive society. Established in 2005, the non-stock, non-profit organization has been working with volunteers in projects for and with the Deaf community.

Deaf children and women are vulnerable to abuse and exploitation. In a study conducted by the Philippine Deaf Resource Center, it was revealed that 65-70 percent of Deaf boys and girls are being molested. The large amount of cases continues to rise and remains concealed. However, the Deaf community receives little attention.

In an effort to raise awareness on putting a stop to the increasing number of cases of sexual abuse of Deaf children and women, the five-year program Break the Silence Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Network Project was started by GVSP under the guidance of Stairway Foundation, Inc. It focuses on abuse prevention, identification and response and advocacy both in the hearing and Deaf community through different projects set in agencies, schools and communities.

The sense of urgency on this issue also paved the way in the organization of a run for a cause event by GVSP entitled Break the Silence Run: Stop Deaf Child Sexual Abuse. It is set to happen on April 21, 2013, Sunday, 5:30 a.m. at Ayala Center Cebu Terraces, Cebu Business Park.

Break the Silence: A GVSP initiative in creating a Deaf child sexual abuse prevention and exploitation network in the Philippines in partnership with the Stairway Foundation,Inc., the Australian Agency for International Development (AUSAID) Lets combat and stop the rising cases of child sexual abuse in the Philippines. Defend and protect the Deaf. Lets empower them. Support GVSP! SAVE the Deaf children and women! credits by: Julie Rose Benabaye of the De LaSalle College of St.Benilde, SDA.

There will be four categories: the regular 4K, 8K and 16K and a separate category for Persons with Disabilities (wheelchair, blind and Deaf)... Read The Full Story.