Stop victim-blaming, Karen Davila tells senators in sex abuse hearings
Karen Davila and Jinggoy Estrada. Image: Instagram/@iamkarendavila; Facebook/Jinggoy Estrada
Amid criticisms aimed at Sen. Jinggoy Estrada for being “harsh” on Sandro Muhlach and Gerald Santos at the Senate hearing, Karen Davila reminded senators that they are not gods and that they should stop victim blaming.
The veteran broadcaster shared an open letter to lawmakers through her X page on Tuesday, Aug. 20, along with INQUIRER.net’s report on Estrada being criticized by netizens.
“To our lawmakers, stop victim-blaming. Treat victims with compassion and sensitivity,” she said. “Reliving a traumatic experience is horrific, more so in a public hearing.”
“Stop barraging, asking ‘why did it take you 5 years? You should’ve filed a complaint immediately,'” she continued, seemingly making a reference to some of Estrada’s questions to Santos during the Aug. 19 Senate hearing investigating sexual abuse in the entertainment industry.
In that hearing, Santos alleged that a musical director of a TV network raped him when he was just a minor and a contestant in a singing contest. He said that he was scared at that time, and that he failed to get support from the management.
Davila further stressed that victims feel “scared” and “ashamed,” and that “this kind of public shaming will not help [them] to come out.”
“Let me remind our senators, you serve the people. You are not gods. Do not act like it,” she concluded.
To our lawmakers,
Stop victim blaming.
Treat victims with compassion and sensitivity. Reliving a traumatic experience is horrific, more so in a public hearing.
Stop barraging, asking “why did it take you 5 years? You should’ve filed a complaint immediately”. Victims are… https://t.co/SXH2iK2RVZ
— Karen Davila (@iamkarendavila) August 20, 2024
Celebrities including John Arcilla and Carla Abellana share Davila’s sentiment, as the two reposted the broadcaster’s statement via their respective Instagram pages.
“I go with [Karen Davila]. All in favor please share,” the actor said.
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Image: Instagram/@carlaangeline
‘Fair in judging’
Estrada then addressed the matter in a statement obtained by Philippine Entertainment Portal, saying he was “fair” and that he was “not tough” during the Senate hearing.
He also said that he already spoke with Santos and that the latter even thanked him after their conversation.
“I was fair in judging… I was not defending GMA,” the senator stressed, referring to the network where Santos’ alleged perpetrator had worked.
“Ang sabi ko, ‘Nung nagreklamo ka after five years, bakit five years, di ba?’ Nung nagreklamo siya after five years, inaksyunan naman ng GMA. ‘Ano pa ba ang gustong mangyari?’ sabi kong ganun.”
Estrada admitted that some of his friends also reached out to him to point out his manner at the hearing, but the senator underscored, “They better check their facts first before they judge me.”
