Cherilyn, a VAW survivor, now volunteers for Villa Maria Good Shepherd Sisters Inc. to educate women and children about recognizing signs of abuse and taking action to protect themselves. (PIA7)
Cherilyn, 34, once lived a life of silence and fear. Her journey from abuse survivor to passionate advocate for victims of violence against women (VAW) is a story of inspiration, urging others to speak up and break the cycle of violence.
A resident of Barangay Bulacao, Cebu City, Cherilyn now lives peacefully with her partner and their 8-year-old child. But her past is marked by pain and isolation, like many women who suffer in silence.
“I was a victim of abuse right in our house,” she said, her eyes reflecting past pain.
“I was molested when I was 10 years old. It continued because I was silent,” she added.
For nearly four years, she endured physical and emotional abuse from her uncle, trauma that kept her hidden in the shadows.
“I was silent for almost three to four years. I endured it for a long time,” she said, her voice steady despite the painful memories.
Cherilyn’s turning point came when she could no longer bear the abuse and finally spoke out.
“I was the one who voiced it out to our family that he was doing this to me,” she recalled.
Cherilyn knew she had to fight not just for herself but for the countless women who could not speak up, including her cousins who had suffered at the hands of her abuser.
The decision to speak the truth came at a cost. Cherilyn chose to leave home at 15 instead of staying in an environment that had betrayed her trust.
“I had a family but I chose the streets because I had lost my way,” she said, reflecting the pain of that decision.
The streets of Cebu, hot, humid, and fraught with danger, became Cherilyn’s temporary home. Yet, this difficult choice led to a life-changing encounter.
At 18, Cherilyn found sanctuary with the Villa Maria Good Shepherd Sisters and Friends with the Poor in Cebu City, which became her new home.
“There I was raised, educated, and guided toward the right path,” she said.
With the support of local organizations dedicated to helping survivors of violence, Cherilyn began her journey of healing, empowerment and advocacy.
Today, Cherilyn walks the same streets where she once sought refuge, but with a transformed mission.
As an active VAW volunteer in Cebu, she reaches out to women trapped in situations similar to what she once faced.
“Many times I go to the streets and hand out condoms, biscuits for the girls, talk to them about what I have become, what happened in my life, that I was once like them before,” she said.
Her work involves sharing her story on the streets, helping women understand their rights and connecting them with resources for legal and psychological assistance.
“I would walk in the streets at night doing outreach, giving my hand to another woman, saying, ‘Stand up! Do not just be a woman who is on drugs and prostitution. There are a lot of people who want to help us,’” she said, her passion evident in every word.
Her work also extends beyond immediate assistance. As a “missionary” for women and children in Villa Maria Good Shepherd Sisters Inc., she educates women and children about recognizing signs of abuse and taking action to protect themselves, breaking the cycle of silence that once imprisoned her.
Voice for the voiceless
Cherilyn urges VAW survivors not to hesitate to reach out for help. She advocates for victims of violence not to be afraid to speak up about their struggles.
“There are many people who are ready to help you. There are many people ready to understand our situation… Don’t hesitate. Don’t stay where you are now. Stand up!” she said.
Cherilyn’s journey is a reminder that hope can emerge from the darkest moments. She is living proof that even the most harrowing experiences can be transformed into a source of strength and positive change.
Where silence once ruled her life, she now uses her story to amplify the voices of others.
“I am now a voice for those women who are voiceless,” she said with determination.
In her continued advocacy, Cherilyn is not only healing herself but also creating a brighter, safer future where fewer women will have to suffer in silence, and more will find the courage to stand. (MSH/PIA Cebu)
