Global Philanthropic Report 2019 - SECT, VKF & Go2C

JP in 2011 under GVSP to uncover and expose the widely ignored tragedy of sexual abuse against
deaf children and women in the Philippines, which, according to the Deaf Resource Center affects
approximately 70% of that group.
BTS in action & collaborating with Government
In partnership with other nonprofit organizations, government agencies, private groups, and
other relevant institutions, they are educating the hearing impaired and deaf communities about
the issue not only to detect and help prevent further cases but to develop a system to address
the abuse. The BTS approach uses animated films adapted from a leading children’s organization
with inset Filipino Sign Language (FSL) for deaf children, trained deaf counselors, and a 24x7
hotline to detect and channel more advanced psychological support to sexually abused deaf
individuals. They then establish paralegal and court interpreting services to help cases be brought
to light and justice, as well as workshops and trainings for government agencies. In doing this,
the program is not only addressing the issue of sexual abuse among the deaf but builds the needs
of the deaf community into the law enforcement, justice and social welfare systems.
The BTS Project has expanded to become the BTS Network across the Philippines. BTS networks
are comprised of deaf and hearing impaired professionals: lawyers, police officers, paralegals and
interpreters who are committed to helping the community have fair access to justice.
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