1、The Laws on Violence Against Women in the Philippines,By: Rowena V. Guanzon Gender Justice Network Member, Asia Cause Lawyers Network,Reforms in laws due to democratic space,1986 People Power Revolution toppled the 14 year Martial Law dictatorship 1987 Constitution 1988 Elections of House of Represe
2、ntatives, Senators and local government officials,Before 1995:,Gender based violence was not recognized in Philippine laws. Revised Penal Code covered offenses committed against women, e.g., physical injuries, rape, acts of lasciviousness, seduction, parricide, homicide, murder,Civil Law,Had discrim
3、inatory provisions on women, treated as subordinate to husbands Could not accept gifts from men other than their husbands without their consent Husband had sole administration of the conjugal partnership,1987 CONSTITUTION:State Policies,Sec. 2 “adopts the generally accepted principles of internation
4、al law as part of the law of the land (CEDAW, CRC, other Conventions) Full respect for human rights Sec. 14. “fundamental equality before the law of women and men”,1987 Constitution,Sec. 14 The State shall protect working women by providing safe and healthful working conditions xxx,LAWS ON VAW since
5、 1995,Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995 Anti-Rape Act of 1997 Rape Victims Assistance Act (1998) An Act penalizing matching of Filipino mail order brides (1998) Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004,RA 9262: Anti VAWC Act,Effective March
6、27, 2004 A special law protecting women and their children from all forms of abuse Criminal statute Civil action Temporary & Permanent Protection Order With remedy of Barangay (village) Protection Order,Types of Violence covered,PHYSICAL PSYCHOLOGICAL, EMOTIONAL SEXUAL ECONOMIC,Def.: Violence Agains
7、t Women & their children (VAWC),any act or series of acts committed by any PERSON against a WOMAN who is his wife, former wife, or with whom the person has or had a sexual or dating relationships, or with whom he has a common child, or against her child/child under her care,Def: VAWC,Which result or
8、 is likely to result in physical, sexual, psychological harm or suffering or economic abuse including threats of such acts, Battery, assault, coercion, harassment or arbitrary deprivation of liberty,Elements,Relationship, past or present Married or not; living in or not Sexual or dating relationship
9、 Including lesbian relationships With common child Falling under Sec. 5 (punishable acts),Sec. 5 Acts of VAWC,Causing, threatening, attempting to cause physical harm Placing the woman or her child in fear of imminent physical harmAttempting or compelling the woman or her child to engage in conduct w
10、hich they have a right to desist from, or to,Sec. 5 Acts,depriving or threatening to deprive the woman or her child of custody or access to her family depriving them of financial support;insufficient financial support,Sec. 5 Acts,Depriving or threatening to deprive the woman or her child of a legal
11、rightPreventing the woman from engaging in any legitimate profession, occupation, business or activity, or controlling her own money or properties or solely controlling conjugal or common assets,Sec. 5 Acts,Causing or attempting to cause the woman or her child to engage in any sexual activity., by f
12、orce or threat, physical harm, intimidation directed against the woman, her child, or immediate family *,Sec. 5,Engaging in knowing or reckless conduct, personally or through another, that alarms or causes substantial emotional or psychological distress including: (1) stalking (2)entering or remaini
13、ng in the property,Sec. 5 Acts,Causing mental or emotional anguish, public ridicule, humiliation including repeated verbal and emotional abuse*denial of financial support or custody of minor children or denial of access to the womans child * PRESCRIPTION PERIOD: 10 years. All others, 20 years,Purpos
14、e of Protection Orders,to prevent further acts of violence against a woman or her child.to safeguard the victim from further harmto minimize disruption in victims daily lifegive her the opportunity and ability to regain control over her life.,Kinds of Protection Orders,Barangay Protecton Order 15 da
15、ys; not extendible Temporary Protection Order 30 days + (shall be renewed by court) Permanent Protection Order,Protection Orders,Prohibition from threatening or committing, any of punishable acts Removal and exclusion from the residence regardless of ownership, temporarily or permanently where no pr
16、operty rights are violated,Protection Orders,Stay away from petitioner, any designated family or household member Temporary or permanent custody of child Support automatic remittance of salary or income by employer Dept of Social Welfare & Dev to provide shelter and social services,Who may file for
17、Protection Orders (P.O.),Offended party Parents or guardians Ascendants, descendants, collateral relatives within 4th degree of consanguinity or affinity Social workers of DSWD or LGUs Police officers Punong Barangay or kagawad Lawyer, counselor, therapist, healthcare provider At least 2 citizens of
18、 the city or municipality who have personal knowledge of the offense,Temporary Protection Order,Issued by the Court on the day of filing Ex parte ; Priority over all other cases Effective for 30 days; extendible Stay away order, temporary custody and support to woman and/or her children, use of comm
19、unity/conjugal property Bond to Keep the Peace Enforceable anywhere in the country No mediation; no conciliation,Permanent Protection Order,issued after notice and hearing custody, support to the woman and/or her children respondent to leave the residence permanently with Bond to Keep the Peace,Batt
20、ered Woman Syndrome (BWS),justifying circumstance Perpetrator of crime against a woman with BWS shall not have custody of children,Exemption from liability,NO CRIMINAL, CIVIL, ADMINISTRATIVE LIABILITY : Any person, private individual, police authority, barangay official acting in accordance with law
21、, whoresponds or intervenes without using violence or restraint greater than necessary to ensure safety of the victim,Rights of victims,Right to be treated with respect support services from DSWD, local governments Privacy and confidentiality of records Additional 10 day paid leave from work aside f
22、rom present paid leave benefits,Effectiveness of the law:,The law is a product of cooperation of womens rights organizations and legislators, hence the comprehensive remedies Protection Orders are being increasingly used by women to protect themselves, get support, get back their minor children Bara
23、ngay protection order is available to poor rural women who have no easy access to the courts,Effectiveness of the law,Supreme Court issued a Rule on VAWC, governs the trial of the case Government officials, including judges are prohibited from mediating e.g. to influence the woman to give up her rel
24、iefs Local government units are tasked with education campaign to eliminate VAW,Effectiveness of the Law,Mechanism for government implementers and support services Inter-Agency on VAW is provided in the law; government implementers have Implementing Rules and Regulations enumerating their duties Pro
25、blem: lack of funds for training,Problems, gaps, lessons:,The law does not provide for appropriations, funding for training of implementers and support services for the woman Corruption in the judiciary, prosecution service Low level of gender sensitivity among prosecutors,Problems, lessons,Ignoranc
26、e of the law by police officers who are not in the womens and childrens desks Lack of quality gender sensitivity seminars for judges who are not family court judges, and prosecutors Misuse of the laws and rules by lawyers, e.g. retaliation suits against women who have protection orders,Rowena V. Guanzon, LLB, MPA Founding Member, Gender Justice Network Founding Member, Asia Cause Lawyers Network Email: Weblog: Fax (+632) 9290840 Mobile: +63 9189018504,
