The aim was to inform and make people aware of abuse, combined with the presence of local government which means of Vice-Alcaldesa Cindy Bravo, Mayra Siles Guevara from PANI, Evangelina García, the minister of Salud, Marjorie Greenwich from the clinic, Kathy Gutiérrez from the ministry of public education, Israel León from the public police and Laura Alfaro from the INA.
The event was coordinated by Martha García Sánchez, the woman in charge of the Oficina Municipal de la Mujer in Santa Bárbara, who informed us about the organisation of the network of institutions and the preparations of the activities in the park: «We have been working for a month to realize these activities and needed a lot of time to plan everything. To manage that, there were a lot of people involved.» To contact her and get more information you can go to the office located in the «Municipalidad» in Santa Barbara or call 2269/9081.
What is violence?
Violence is: «The intentional use of physical power against oneself, another person, group or community that either results in or has a high probability of resulting in injury, death, psychological harm, frets of development or deprivation. Violence against children and adolescents implies actions or omissions of individuals, institutions or groups that causes harm or limits their development.»
If you are a victim or if you know somebody who has faced violence towards women or children, break the silence and talk to others! Do not do it like the majority who rests in silence.
Numbers you can dial to get help:
Defensoría de Los Habitantes 800-258-7474
Hospital Nacional de Niños 2523-3600
Instituto Nacional de las Mujeres 800-300-3000
Patronato Nacional de la Infancia 2222-0805 / 2223-7705
Violencia Doméstica y Delitos sexuales 2295-8364 / 2295-3131
In case of an emergency, call the police: 911
It is important not to react with more violence. Instead you should look for help from professionals who know how to deal with those problems
How do you treat a woman who breaks the silence?
At first you should listen to her and offer orientation on her searching for legal, medical, social and psychological support.
ByTanja Dragon, Werner Jacobs and Sophie Thielecke, volunteers of Amistad Institute
Translated by Lena Kessel and Sophie Thielecke
