Psychiatrist: Sexual abuse causes myriad of problems to survivors

CEBU CITY (PHILIPPINES)
SunStar [Cebu City, Philippines]

February 2, 2025

By Claudine Flores

Dr. Rene Obra said survivors often develop coping mechanisms, such as pathological lying and poor anger management.

Victims need professional legal, medical and psychological support to regain their well-being, according to Obra, former chief of the Center for Behavioral Sciences of Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center.

“They need people who can understand their problem, empathize with them and help restore their physical, mental, social and spiritual well-being,” he told SunStar in text message Friday, Jan. 31, 2025.

SunStar interviewed Obra after BishopAccountability.org, a United States-based group that monitors abuse in the Roman Catholic Church, released on Wednesday, Jan. 29, a list of 82 priests linked to dioceses in Visayas and Mindano who were accused of sexually abusing female and male minors.

Obra said these cases could be just the “tip of the iceberg,” with many more likely unreported.

He pointed out that the issue is not exclusive to Catholic clergy but also involves pastors and tribal leaders across various religious groups. The victims, often minors, suffer severe psychological consequences long after the abuse.

“Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship wherein the perpetrators have full power and control over the victim,” Obra said.

He explained that abuse is not limited to private spaces but also occurs in schools, workplaces, hospitals and seminaries.

“This happens in schools, workplaces, public institutions and exclusive places such as seminaries, hospitals and military camps,” he said.

Perpetrators often manipulate their victims, trapping them in a cycle of suffering and isolation.

Limited support

Despite efforts by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Obra said the government’s capacity to provide adequate resources and shelters for abuse victims remains insufficient.

“We don’t have enough facilities to house the victims and, sadly, mental health is not one of the government’s top priorities at present,” he said.

When asked if there are facilities in Cebu City that cater specifically to sexual abuse victims, he said, “Parian used to have one, but as far as I know, we lack enough places to house victims of violence.”

Need for education

Obra emphasized the importance of sex education for students, saying they need to be informed about how to respond if they encounter such situations.

He also called on authorities to establish more support centers and ensure that victims receive the necessary interventions to help them recover and rebuild their lives.

Obra explained that perpetrators maintain control over their victims through threats and intimidation, preventing them from speaking out.

“The victim is scared to voice out due to threats and intimidation,” he said.

He reiterated the need for a stronger commitment from both the government and private institutions to provide comprehensive support for victims and break the cycle of abuse.

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