After her video pleading for help on Facebook went viral, the Filipino household service worker based in Bahrain was finally rescued by the Philippine Embassy on Thursday.
In the viral video which has over 1.5 million views on Facebook as of writing, the Filipina OFW claimed that her employer’s son raped her while she was doing house chores. Her assailant hit her on the legs and thigh when she attempted to fight back.
“Yung anak ng amo ko ginalaw ako. Tapos nagsumbong ako sa amo ko kagabi. Bakit daw di ko agad sinabi? Natatakot akong magsalita kasi pagkatapos akong galawin ng anak niya pinagbantaan ako na kapag magsumbong daw ako dadalin daw niya ako sa disyerto papatayin at ibabaon niya ako doon,” the crying Pinay OFW said in the video.
After informing her employer about the incident, she expressed her plans to go home to protect herself. However, her employer asked her to wait for two months before buying a plane ticket from her own pocket so that she can finish her contract.
Her employer even told her that she will have her checked up next week to determine if she’s pregnant. According to the Pinay OFW, her employer will have her baby aborted before sending her home if she happens to be pregnant.
Fortunately, the Philippine Embassy’s Assistance-To-Nationals (ATN) Section in Bahrain successfully identified and found the location of the victim after receiving several reports about her video, according to a report by ABS-CBN News Middle East.
The Pinay OFW has already filed a complaint against her assailant with the help of police officials. She will be brought to the hospital to undergo medical examination.
Currently, the victim is under the custody of the embassy in Manama.
Where to Report OFW Abuse
While working abroad has many perks, it also entails risks such as physical, mental and even sexual abuse.
According to ofwguide.com, OFW’s are encouraged by the government to coordinate with Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs), and DOLE (Department of Labor and Employment) if they intend to file a complaint.
Meanwhile, distressed OFW’s already in the Philippines who suffered abused abroad can coordinate with National Reintegration Center to get free medical care, counselling services, temporary shelter, job referral, as well as livelihood programs.