- from the Preface

"When we say "community-based response to violence", what do we mean by this? How can it reduce the vulnerabilities of women and children in the short-term, and end violence in the long-term? How do we develop the response capacity of local communities? What do we hope to achieve out of this strategy? What difference will it make on the live of women and children in particular, and the community in general? These questions are dealt with in this book..."

This book is an attempt to highlight concrete practices or responses to violence against women and children (VAWC), build on previous or existing initiatives of advocates, as well as share the authors' insights and experiences. Grounded in experiences and settings in the Philippines, the framework, model and lessons may have significant relevance for other regions. It aims to help community members, service providers, advocates, local government officials, researchers, media practitioners, policy makers and victim-survivors gain an understanding of how to develop and institutionalise a community-based response to VAWC. The perspective taken throughout is that VAWC is a public health problem and development issue, and thus, a social responsibility.