Belmonte to women: stand up to harassers

Quezon City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte on Wednesday advised women to stand up against any forms of harassment, violence, and abuse, and not to hesitate reporting such any incident to authorities.

“Speak up. Do not be afraid nor be ashamed to report because the city government is here to provide any kind of assistance to punish the perpetrator and serve justice,” she said.

Last April, the vice mayor batted for the use of the gender and development budget to create more women and children help desk and protection centers in the barangays and police stations.

“Regardless of gender, women, men and members of our LGBT community have to be respected. We must also all be made to feel safe in public places,” she said.