(Gustavo Fring)
Violence against women is one of the problems in the society today and long before we are even here. Thankfully, our country has several laws and agencies that help protect women and their children from any gender-based violence and Local Government Units (LGUs) help in their implementation.
We have a law (Republic Act 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act of 2004) which clearly defines what Violence Against Women (VAW) is:
(Source)
We also have the Republic Act No. 9710, also known as the Magna Carta of Women (MCW) that "recognizes, protects, and upholds the rights of women and addresses issues of discrimination against them." And many other laws as follows:
(Source)
Here, it is not hard to report cases of violence or any form of abuse since there are help desks in every locality called the Barangay VAW Desk where one can run to and seek assistance or help. And not only the victim can report, but everyone in the society who observes or witnesses abuse.
In our area for instance, we have a specific VAW Desk Officer in the Barangay Hall/Office where anyone can report incidents.
What are the procedures?
- Just go to the office and report any abuse and receive first-aid treatments when necessary.
- The officer will then take actions depending on the severity of the abuse, like coordinating or referring the victim to appropriate agencies when better safety and protection is required.
- Victims can even ask for safe shelter and the Department of Social Welfare and Development agency can aid in such regard.
- The help desk will brief victims of their rights, options, solutions, remedies available if any, and the processes involved in seeking justice and any other implications.
- Victims can seek Barangay Protection Order (BPO), either temporary or permanent.
There are however cases that do not fall within the authority of the Barangay Help Desk like rape, trafficking and sexual harassment. But the Barangay VAW can assist the victims (survivors) by doing preliminary interview and then help the victim in filing complaints or refer them to proper necessary agencies as follows:
For Rape and Trafficking Cases:
- PNP Women and Children’s Protection Desk (WCPD) and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
For Sexual Harassment Cases:
- Committee on Decorum and Investigation (CODI)
- PNP Women’s Desk or directly to the Prosecutor’s Office if victim has already has the necessary documents to support the case.
Additionally, there are hotlines in every region where anyone can call, report and ask for help.
With these laws, agencies (both governmentand Non-Government Organizations), help desks and hotlines in place, there should be no reason for anyone to be afraid of reporting incidents and or cases of abuse. I personally know some people who sought help and were given proper assistance so I believe the system in place works although it can be improved.
This is my participation to the LOH Challenge #99 for the first question, re:
(Source)
And let me invite @windgirl if she is so inclined to take part in any of this week's questions :)