They cheered, laughed, and had fun. For a day, the clients of the Regional Center for Women forgot the abuses and ordeal that they had been through.

The RCW recently held a summer outing for its 34 women victims of domestic violence and sexual abuses at Mila’s Hill in New Lucena, Iloilo. There were games, which was highlighted by a cheering competition.

“We conduct this activity every year as a form of therapy and also a bonding between the clients,” said Haydee Canilla, center head.

The RCW, a DSWD-run facility located in New Lucena, Iloilo, provides temporary shelter and protective custody to women ages 18-59 years old who are victims of involuntary or forced prostitution, illegal recruitment, battered/abused women and victims of sexual abuse./dswd6