Violence Against Women: issues and Concerns

1. THE SALIENT FEATURES, ISSUES, PROBLEMS, AND CONCERNS IN THE

IMPLEMENTATION OF R.A. 9262 OR THE ANTI-VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMENAND
THEIR CHILDREN ACT (ANTI- VAWC) OF 2004.
2. SALIENT FEATURES OF THE ANTI- VAWC ACT
3.  a. Barangay Protection Order (BPO)b. Temporary Protection Order (TPO)c. Permanent
Protection Order (PTO)
4. VAWC is now a public crime.
5. Immunity from suit of persons who responds or intervene to a woman being abused.
6. Providing for a HoldDeparture Order against therespondents.
7. Criminal Acts under R.A. 92621. Physical Abuse2. Sexual Abuse3. Psychological Abuse4.
Economic or Financial Abuse
8. Additional paid leave ofabsence from work for ten(10) days.
9. Providing for the rights ofthe victim to be treated withdignity, avail of legal services,and
support services from theDSWD and the LGU. LGU
10. PROBLEMS IN THE ENFORCEMENT OF R.A. 9262ANTI VAWC
11. Judges who continueto believe that the ANTI –VAWC is unfair to men or isunconstitutional.
12. b. ANTI – VAWCdestroys the unity of thefamily, that they must keep family the marriage
inviolable despite the violence of thehusband.
13. Creation of SpecializedCourts to handle Violenceagainst Women and theirChildren in order
to guaranteetimely and efficient handlingof VAWC Cases.
14. Raising public awarenessand passage of laws providingfor compulsory education in alllevels
of schooling on the rightsof women and girls, promoting girlsgender equality and inparticular,
the rights of womenand girls to be free from allforms of violence.
15. a. National Women’s phone hotline.b. Temporary Sheltersc. Legal Service
16. d. Livelihood and long-time supporte. Counselling and specialized services for
particulargroups of women.

What is VAWC?

VA WC stands for "Violence Against Women and their Children." It is an act or series of acts that result
or is likely to result, in physical, sexual, or psychological harm or suffering of a woman and her children,
including economic abuse committed against a woman or her children.

Who are protected by the Anti-VAWC Act?

The woman, her children, and children under her care. Children under her care are .those who are not
her biological children but live with her, such as her nephews or nieces, and children of her
"kasambahay".

Who are liable for VAWC?

a. Husband
b. Ex-husband
c. The man or woman with whom she has or had a dating or sexual relationship
d. The man with whom she has a child

Can a woman who is not married to the offender be protected by the Anti-VAWC Act?
Yes, when the woman has a sexual or "dating" relationship with the offender or she has a child with him

What is a "dating relationship"? What if there was no sexual act (just dating)?

"Dating relationship" refers to a situation wherein the parties live together without marriage or when
they are romantically involved with each other. It is not necessary that parties have sexual relationship,
it is sufficient that they are just romantically involved over time.

Can a woman who had a single sexual act with the offender file a case under the Anti-VAWC Act?

Yes, a single sexual act is included in "sexualrelationship". So if the offender threatens to publicly
humiliate the woman after they had a one sexual act, the woman can file for a Protection Order and/ or
a criminal case.

What acts are included in VAWC?

1. Physical violence
2. Sexual violence
3. Psychological violence
4. Economic abuse
5. Other forms of violence such as subjecting the woman to public ridicule or public humiliation

What is "physical violence''?

"Physical violence" refers to acts that include bodily or physical harm such as punching or slapping the
woman

What is "psychological violence"?

"Psychological violence" refers to acts or omissions causing or likely to cause mental or emotional
suffering of the victim such -as stalking or threatening to deprive or actually depriving the victim of
custody of her child.

"Stalking" refers to the intentional act of following the woman or placing her under surveillance, directly
or indirectly or combination thereof

"Indirectly" means using other persons to stalk the woman.

What is "economic abuse"?

It refers to an act which makes or attempts to make the woman financially dependent on the offender,
such as not allowing the wife to engage in a legitimate work, or solely controlling conjugal funds or
properties, or taking the income of the woman.

When the husband refuses to give sufficient support to his wife, is that an act of VAWC?

Y es, For example, if he gives an insufficient amount of support even if he is financially capable.
What is "sexual violence"?

"Sexual violence" includes rape, sexual harassment or acts of lasciviousness.

Examples:

a. forcing the woman to have sex or while a child is present

b. forcing the woman to watch obscene films

Can a husband who forces his wife to have sexual intercourse be liable under the Anti-VAWC
Act?

Yes, he is liable under Republic Act 8353 (The Anti-Rape Act of 1997) for marital rape and also for
sexual violence under the AntiVAWC Act. The wife can be granted a protection order to ensure her
safety.

The Protection Order can order the husband to:

a.) Leave the house

b.) Stay away from his wife
c.) Give financial support to wife and minor children. If they are not married, then only the
children are entitled to support.

What are the reliefs available to the woman?

1. Apply for Protection Order.

a. Barangay Protection Order
b. Temporary Protection Order or Permanent Protection Order

A Barangay Protection Order (BPO) is not required before a woman can file for a Protection
Order in court.

The Temporary Protection Order (TPO) is issued by the Judge before the hearings begin. The
Judge can grant an ex parte TPO within 24 hours from application, without notice to the
respondent.

A TPO is valid for 30 days. The Judge can renew the TPO until the hearings are finished and a
Permanent Protection Order (PPO) is issued. The Judge may also give a Decision that a PPO
will not be granted, based on the evidence.

2. File a criminal complaint - VAWC is a public crime

3. File an action for damages - a victim of VAWC is entitled to actual, compensatory, moral and
exemplary damages

Who can file fora Petition for Temporary Protection Order and Permanent Protection Order?

a) The woman
b) Parent or guardian of the woman
c) Relatives within the 4th civil degree of consanguinity or affinity of the woman, such as aunts,
uncles and first cousins, and persons married to them
 d) Social workers (from the local government unit of DSWD)
e) Police officers
f) Punong Barangay or Barangay Kagawad
g) Lawyers, therapist, counsellor or health care provider of the woman
h) At least two (2) responsible citizens of the city or municipality where the VAWC occurred who
have personal knowledge of the offense committed.

How does one get a Temporary/Permanent Protection Order?

File a verified petition with the Family Court of the place where the woman lives at present. The
Clerk of Court can assist the woman in filling up a form for Application for Protection Order.

If there is no Family Court, it may be filed with the Regional Trial Court, Metropolitan Trial Court,
Municipal Trial Court in Cities, Municipal Trial Court or. Municipal Circuit where the woman lives.

Cases of violence against women and children (VAWC) in the country show only a slight decrease in
numbers despite the implementation of laws penalizing such offense, according to a recent study of
the Philippine Institute for Development Studies. 

Citing data from 2008 to 2013, authors Clarissa David, Jose Ramon Albert, and Jana FlorVizmanos
reported a slight drop of VAWC incidence from 7.3 percent in 2008 to 5.6 percent in 2013. Most of
these abuses, they noted, are experienced in the hands of closest family members or relatives, such
as partners or parents. 

Moreover, a 2017 national survey commissioned by the United Nations Children’s Fund, done
through the Council for the Welfare Children, also revealed the experience of children and youth on
physical violence is at 62.5 percent (particularly among girls), while 1.9 percent were reported to
have experienced severe physical violence, and 2.3 percent have fallen victims to severe sexual
violence. Also, recorded are cases of cyberviolence which is at 42.2 percent. 

Of the high rate reported on physical violence, the majority of incidences for both young boys and
girls are related to corporal punishments, such as spanking, hair pulling, and ear twisting. A large
number (30%), on the other hand, experienced more severe violence like slapping, kicking,
smothering, tying, and burning. 

Further, David et al. disclosed that sexual abuse is rampant on children between ages 13 and 18,
with 17.1 percent of them involved in some form of sexual abuses such as inappropriate touching
and groping. Meanwhile, 43.8 percent of youths in this age bracket have also been victims of
cyberviolence. The most alarming discovery, according to the authors, is that an estimated 2.5
percent of children were reported to have shown their sexual activities or nude bodies on the
internet. 

The authors identified the main causes of violence in women and children as poverty, low
educational attainment, and lack of community support. Disasters, too, can increase the incidence of
VAWC. They explained that the displacement in communities often create opportunities for human
trafficking and sex trade. 
To resolve or minimize domestic abuses and other forms of violence on women and children, the
study urged government to focus on women empowerment and allocate funds for the provision of
comprehensive health services to VAWC victims, which should include psychosocial, therapeutic,
medical, and legal interventions and assistance. 

While stricter statutes like the Anti-Rad Tape Law (Republic Act 8353), Anti-VAWC Law, and the
Magna Carta for Women are already in effect, the authors proposed for the implementation of more
preventive measures and programs to address not only VAWC issues but also trafficking and
harassment. 

They also recommended for LGUs and relevant national agencies such as the Department of Social
Welfare and Development, Department of Health, and the Philippine Commission on Women to
establish an action plan on how to establish, operate, and continuously fund shelters for women and
children who were victims of violence and exploitation.

Reality Check: VAW in Numbers

 
 1 in 5 women experienced physical violence since age 15 (2013 NDH Survey among
women aged 15-49)

  6 in 100 women reported having experienced sexual violence (2013 NDH Survey
among women aged 15-49)

 4% of women experienced physical violence during pregnancy (2013 NDH Survey

among women aged 15-49)

 Only 3 of 10 women sought help to stop the violence (2013 NDH Survey among
women aged 15-49)

 A total of 31,580 cases of violations of RA 9262 were filed before the Philippine
National Police from January to December 2016 (PNP WCPC 2016 Report)

 A total of 15,749 cases of violations of RA 9262 were filed before the Philippine
National Police from January to June 2017 (PNP WCPC 2017 Report)

 As of June 2017,  88.44% or 37,178 out of 42,036 Barangays in the Philippines have
established Barangay VAW Desk (DILG Report)

 
Starts with ME
 
 
  

18 things that we can do to help end VAW

Woman/Girl
       1.  Empower yourself. Know your rights and available courses of actions in case these
rights are violated.
       2.  Speak out and report to the authorities in case your rights are violated.
       3.  Encourage others to fight for their rights.
 
Man/Boy
       4. Respect women and girls in your home, workplace, and community.
       5. Join male groups promoting Anti-VAW efforts and participate in discussions to
broaden your awareness on the advocacy.
       6. Enlighten/advise perpetrators to seek help and join the male Anti-VAW supporters.
 
Government agency
       7. Equip yourselves with apt trainings and capacity development sessions to improve
service delivery for your clients.
       8. Develop monitoring and evaluation strategy to assess the service to your clients
supporters.
       9. Let people know that you provide the services! We need to inform the public that
there are government offices that they can turn to and trust to assist them towards healing
and seeking justice.
 
Barangay
      10.  Ensure that your Barangay VAW Desk is functional. You can use the Barangay VAW
Desk Handbook developed by PCW and DILG with partner agencies to guide you on what to
do.
      11.Establish linkages with local and national government agencies, as well as other
organizations near your barangay where you can refer victim-survivors of VAW for needed
assistance which the barangay is not able to provide.
      12. Promote harmonious family and community relationships in your barangay which is
grounded on mutual respect for human rights, and take proactive steps to attain a VAW-
free community.
 
Private sector
      13. Support the Anti-VAW efforts of the government and your immediate community.
      14. Establish your own Action Desks where employees and clients can go to in case
VAW happens.
      15. Develop internal rules to proactively ensure that your workplace is VAW-free.
 
Academe/training institutions
     16. Include concepts of VAW and women’s human rights in lesson plans/lesson guides of
your teaching staff
     17. Continually conduct/spearhead anti-VAW advocacies in your campus, and if possible,
to your immediate community through extension programs.
     18. Setup a Committee on Decorum and Investigation (CODI) where students and
employees can seek help
 

How can individuals and organizations get involved in the campaign to end VAW?
 
Organize your own event and invite others to join your event. Government agencies, non-
government organizations, sectoral groups, private and civic organizations are enjoined to
conduct their own activities in line with this year’s campaign theme and focus. You can get
in touch with the Regional and Local Inter-Agency Committee Against Trafficking in Persons,
VAWC, and Child Pornography (Regional/Local IACATVAWCP) in your area to know how you
can participate in regional and local activities. You can also invite other groups and
individuals to join your event. Hanging of streamer bearing this year’s campaign theme is
also encouraged.
 
Live a Life Free from VAW. A life free from VAW – it’s our right! Freedom from
VAW starts with knowing and respecting each person’s rights. You can help end
VAW by doing the following:

 Never commit VAW

 Never condone VAW

 Never remain silent about VAW

 If you are, or you know someone who is a victim of VAW:

 Seek help from sympathetic family members and friends

 Report and seek the help of the barangay, social worker, police, NBI, or public
attorney’s office nearest you.

Spread the word. Freedom from VAW is everyone’s concern. Be a firm advocate and partner
in ending VAW. Know more about VAW and share the information with everyone. Support
efforts within your school, workplace of community to eliminate VAW and achieve our vision
of a VAW-free community.
 
Violence against children in the home

Sixty-four studies were included, with findings on prevalence, risk and protective factors related to VAC
in the home, including two longitudinal studies (the ‘Parenting Across Cultures’ study and the Cebu
Longitudinal Study), and a secondary analysis of the most recent Demographic Heath Survey
commissioned specifically for this report.

Physical: Findings show that violent discipline is the most frequent form of violence against both boys
and girls in the home, driven by factors including social norms around the use of and effectiveness of
discipline, authoritarian parenting, and parent’s levels of education. Other forms of physical violence are
also common. Studies show that the combination of parental histories of physical abuse when they were
growing up combined with financial stress and substance misuse create a ‘toxic trio’ of risk factors for
physical violence in the home.

Sexual: The lack of supervision, single headed households and absent parents increases the vulnerability
of children to sexual violence at home. Migration is a significant driver of absentee parenting, which
increases children’s risk of exposure to sexual violence at home.

Emotional: Longitudinal data has shown that emotional violence from parents increases children’s
negative behaviour, which increases their risk of experiencing violent discipline and perpetrating
aggressive behaviour towards others. Parenting practices that include the use of coercion, threats,
insults, and a frightening tone increase the risk of child maltreatment and set the stage for similar
patterns of behaviour in parent/child and other relationships.

There is very robust data on the nature of intergenerational violence in the Philippines. Longitudinal and
large household survey data show that violence often begins at home and impacts on violence in other
settings and relationships. Alcohol misuse is a driver of family violence and has been found to be a
significant risk factor in every study where the two variables have been measured. Experiencing
childhood or familial sexual violence is also a driver of all forms of intimate partner violence
victimization for females. Experiencing or being exposed to violence in the home also increases the risk
that children will use or experience violence against partners, peers and family members.

Violence against children in school

UNICEF conducted a comprehensive national study on VAC in schools in 2009 in partnership with Plan
International and the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC). The study provides comprehensive
information on the scope and nature of physical, sexual and emotional VAC at school. The Philippines
also participated in the Global School Based Health Surveys,5 which measure bullying. This review
identified only 16 studies on violence in schools.

Physical: This was the most prevalent form of violence in schools perpetrated by adults, with verbal
violence the second most frequent. Drivers of this violence include social norms around the use of
corporal punishment in school settings as well as the family context. Both children and adults state
that corporal punishment in schools is closely linked with violent discipline and family circumstances in
the home.

Sexual: Sexual harassment is the most frequent form of sexual violence in school settings, occurring in
both primary and secondary schools, with girls being particularly vulnerable. Grey literature has also
highlighted that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth may be particularly at risk of sexual
violence at school; often from peers.

Emotional: Violence at the hands of other children and young people at school is more common than
violence perpetrated by adults. Trend data shows that bullying victimisation is increasing among 13- to
15-year- olds, while physical fights in schools are decreasing for both boys and girls (the opposite trend
is found in some European countries and the United States). A secondary analysis of the 2003-2004
World Health Organization (WHO) Global School Based Health Survey6 found that bullying victimisation
and being involved in physical fighting were associated. Parental supervision was associated with less
fighting. There is no clear evidence to determine if this is the reason for the decreasing trend in physical
fighting, however, it does give some indication of the importance of the home-school link, and that
parenting approaches may impact on children’s behaviour, even in school settings. Children’s previous
experiences of violence, especially in the home, also drives bullying behaviour in schools.

Violence against children in the community

Children involved in child labour, in conflict with the law, and street-involved children are especially
vulnerable to violence, and these factors are recognized as drivers. Sixty-two studies in this review found
that sexual exploitation and trafficking (as particular forms of violence), are particular risks faced by
those engaged in hazardous labour and living and working on the street.6 Family expectations and
poverty are recognized drivers of violence, particularly through condoning child labour, including to a
certain extent, commercial sexual exploitation and trafficking. Traditional cultural values emphasize the
importance of meeting family duties and obligations. Therefore, children may feel obligated to become
involved in child labour, including commercial sexual exploitation, in order to fulfill these familial
expectations. Efforts to stop these forms of abuse and exploitation of children must address the norms
and traditions that underlie this practice. This means having a viable alternative to child labour by
creating alternative livelihoods for families and making it affordable to keep children in school.

Migration due to land reform policies, lack of employment and displacement due to conflict are drivers
of the commercial sexual exploitation of children and trafficking.

A “culture of migration” was reported to exist among families and communities in the Philippines,
particularly in source areas for trafficking. In these areas, there is cultural pressure for girls to support
their families by migrating to urban areas (or overseas for work), potentially leading to victimization,
often through illegal immigration.
The studies identified that VAC in the home was a risk factor for experiencing violence in the community
– suggesting that violence starts at home. This was found in relation to street-involved children, sexual
exploitation and children in conflict with the law.

Lastly, the studies in this section point to a culture of silence around issues of VAC in the community.
This reluctance to speak about VAC is combined with a lack of support services, shaming of survivors and
weak law enforcement. In some cases, for example with street-involved children and children in conflict
with the law, the role of law enforcement as a perpetrator of violence creates a confluence of drivers for
the perpetuation of exploitation and VAC in the community.

Sexual Violence Against Children

Experience of Violence Across Settings:

Children experience sexual violence in a variety of settings, perpetrated by family members, partners,
peers and strangers. This review examined 22 articles and reports of studies on sexual violence against
children in the Philippines. The prevalence of sexual violence in childhood ranged from 4.5 per cent to
65 per cent (Ramiro et. al, 2010; Serquina Ramiro, 2005), reflecting the variety of questions asked, how
sexual violence was measured, the methods used and the type of respondents involved in research.

The only nationally representative data on child sexual violence is from the National Demographic Heath
Survey (DHS); a population-based survey with over 16,000 respondents that is conducted to provide
information on fertility, family planning and health for use by the Government in monitoring progress
against the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

The DHS shows an increasing trend in childhood sexual abuse in the Philippines between 2008 and 2013.
The soon-to-be released National Baseline Survey on Violence Against Children (NBS VAC) findings will
significantly add to our knowledge of the prevalence of sexual violence against children in the
Philippines.

EMERGING THEMES

The three main drivers of sexual violence emerging from the studies reviewed are:

1) A culture of silence and a fear of reporting, including taboos against discussing sexuality and
reproductive health with children, as well as talking about sexual violence, and thus limiting
young people’s access to information on protection and prevention mechanisms that might limit
their risk of exposure to sexual exploitation/violence.

2) The need to strengthen implementation of existing legislation that provides protection for
children,10 but has not been able to effectively prevent or limit violence, including the minimum
age of sexual consent and statutory rape laws that contribute to legal impunity for sexual
violence against both boys and girls.
 3) Vulnerability, especially of children with disabilities. More research is needed to identify further
the risk and protective factors for children. In addition, an important emerging theme for the
Philippines is the dramatic rise of HIV in recent years, particularly amongst adolescents.11 A
2013 UNICEF report indicated a 79 per cent increase in new cases. This rise is partly linked to the
lack of reproductive health information and services for young people. It is also linked to the
increase in the use of information communication technology, especially smart phones and
dating apps.

There has also been a significant rise in rates of teen pregnancy in recent years (2013 Young Adult
Fertility and Sexuality Study [YAFS]), which is also linked to limited access to reproductive health services
designed for young people. In the latest YAF survey, 13 per cent of 15- to 19-year-olds were pregnant,
doubling the number of the previous 10 years.

Physical Violence Against Children

This review explored over 68 studies on physical violence. Physical violence against children occurs in
every setting – the home, school and community – yet, globally and in the Philippines it is most
frequently found in the home in the form of violent discipline (UNICEF, 2014). Physical violence outside
of discipline also occurs in the same forms (including hitting, kicking and shaking) with prevalence
ranging from 30 per cent to 79 per cent, reflecting the wide range of studies and methods of measuring
physical violence. Physical violence in schools in the form of bullying appears to be increasing among 13-
to 15-year-olds in the Philippines, based on eight years of WHO Global School Based Health Survey data
Several hospital studies have also been conducted which highlight abusive head trauma as a significant
concern, primarily as a result of shaking children under the age of two. Most of the studies on physical
violence in the Philippines focus on violent discipline and violence between partners and peers. This
section focuses on findings on physical violence in different settings and relationships.

Children and young people perpetrate most of the physical violence against other children and young
people. When physical violence is used by adults it is often in the form of punishment, and it is viewed
as the most effective form of discipline and necessary to control a child’s behaviour. There are social
expectations that parents and teachers will use corporal punishment against children.

Emotional Violence Against Children

In the Philippines, emotional violence is referred to as ‘psychological violence’ under the AntiViolence
against Women and Children Act, which refers to “acts or omissions causing or likely to cause mental or
emotional suffering of the victim ... It includes causing or allowing the victim to witness the physical,
sexual or psychological abuse of a member of the family to which the victim belongs, or to witness
pornography in any form or to witness abusive injury to pets or unlawful or unwanted deprivation of the
right to custody and/or visitation of common children (see definitions section).” In the Philippines, the
most frequently studied types of emotional violence include verbal abuse and psychological aggression
as a form of violent discipline.
This systematic review explored 15 studies that included measurements of emotional violence. Key risk
factors include children’s negative behaviours, parents’ own histories of violence and the belief that
forms of emotional violence are “natural reactions” to situations and not seen as violence, particularly
by teachers. Further research is needed to identify the risk and protective factors of emotional violence
in the Philippines, especially as this form of violence is responsible for the largest burden of mental
illness and self-harm in the region (Fang et al., 2015).

Emerging Issues: Online Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation

The online abuse and exploitation of children, including webcam sex tourism, is a growing global
concern, and is a particular threat in the Philippines, which is recognized as one of the top ten countries
producing child pornography material globally. Cybercrime dens have been operating in many parts of
the country since 2012.14 In spite of legislation passed in 2009 (The Anti Child Pornography Act RA
9775) success in prosecuting perpetrators and thus providing deterrents to this multi-billion dollar crime
has been limited.

A systematic literature review of online child protection conducted in 2015 found 15 papers on online
child sexual abuse and exploitation in the Philippines (UNICEF, unpublished). Composed mainly of grey
literature, these papers found that Filipino children commonly engage in risky online behaviour and are
largely unsupervised when they use the Internet, putting them at risk of online sexual solicitation and
grooming.

Poverty is a recognized driver of online sexual exploitation. Broken homes, poor parenting,
consumerism, peer influence, family values and socio-cultural beliefs and norms have been tied to live
streaming of online sexual abuse. The Philippines has become a hub for online exploitation of children
primarily because of local English proficiency, and an existing sex industry, including trafficking. Easy
access to the internet, with nearly half of the population online, is another contributing factor. The
online exploitation of children is a multi-billion-dollar industry, thus there is an enormous demand for
materials, and their production can easily be hidden in remote locations.

Emerging Issues:

Migration Fourteen papers, including published studies, literature reviews and agency reports,
addressed the impact of migration on children and families left behind by overseas Filipino migrants.
These studies describe the changes that transnational families undergo, while migrant mothers continue
to nurture their children from a distance and the extended family, particularly women, assume
caregiving roles. New communication technologies, including Skype, assist in maintaining transnational
families, but fail to provide children with proper care and protection. The studies show mixed results
with regard to the education and psychosocial status of left-behind children, and suggest that migration
may be a driver of violence against them – particularly neglect and sexual violence (as a result of
increased vulnerability from having a missing caregiver). Recent news articles (including “The cost of
caring,” New Yorker, April 2016) have profiled the plight of Filipino domestic workers in particular, who
often may not see their children for years due to the high cost of return voyages. Older children are left
to care for others, and thus adult care and protection are lacking.
Emerging Issues:Disaster

The Philippines ranks fourth among the top 5 countries with the highest number of weather-related
disasters, and among the top 10 countries with the highest number of people affected by
weatherrelated disasters in the past 20 years (1995-2015). Post-disaster violence against Filipino
children has rarely been studied. However, local agency reports clearly showed an increase in the
number of rape and sexual abuse cases after Super Typhoon (“Yolanda”) Haiyan, the terrible natural
disaster that hit the country in 2013. A needs assessment conducted as part of international
humanitarian response to the disaster also showed behavioural changes, involvement in harsh or
dangerous labour, sexual violence, and an increase in the number of out-of-school children.

Recommendations and Suggestions for Further Research CP Systems:

a. Strengthen inter-agency coordination to ensure implementation of child protection laws,

under one coordination body
b. Develop/establish an integrated inter-agency child protection information system
c. Ensure functionality of the referral pathway on responding to child abuse, neglect and
exploitation. Increase tertiary prevention (women and child protection units) and early
intervention for families affected by domestic violence.

VAC at Home, School and in the Community

1. Promote parenting support interventions

a. Strengthen child protection messages in existing Family Development Sessions (FDS)
provided to families who are beneficiaries of the Government’s conditional cash transfer
programme, the PantawidPamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) (in English, the Bridging
Programme for the Filipino Family), and ensure monitoring of the impact of FDS to
understand how parents/families have embraced these messages for positive social change,
and reduction of VAC
b. Promote the adaptation of proven/effective methods of good parenting (i.e. ‘Parenting for
Lifelong Health’) for the Philippine context, thus encouraging the implementation of
measurable tools for social change
2. Explore alcohol abuse prevention and brief interventions (relate to World Health Organization
[WHO] work in this area)

Laws and Policies

1. Advocacy for improved legislation and policy to prevent and respond to VAC
a. Support legislation that stops corporal punishment in schools and homes
b. Advocate to increase the age of sexual consent through multi sectoral partnerships with the
judiciary, social welfare, education and health sectors.
2. Support strengthened implementation of existing laws and policies that protect children from
violence, including those on cybercrime and child pornography. o Address the gaps in the
judicial system that cause child abuse cases to be delayed indefinitely
Social Norms and Gender

1. Promote positive social norms that do not involve violent discipline – utilize findings from the
strategic literature review to suggest potential positive norms that could be enhanced.
2. Promote development of research capacity on social norms, encourage research to better
understand how social norms may condone VAC, and what researchers can do to raise
awareness, including development of communication for development (C4D) approaches for
social/behavioural change
3. Support further research on violence against boys, noting that service delivery currently focuses
on services for girls and women, and recognizing that boys may be equally or more vulnerable to
violence than girls
4. Support efforts to tackle the increasing threat of HIV infection amongst adolescents, noting that
men who have sex with men (MSM) account for a high proportion of cases, and that social
norms continue to limit access to information and prevention
5. Address social norms that discourage adolescent access to information on sexual and
reproductive health

Emerging Issues:

Natural Disasters

a. Ensure the implementation of the child protection mechanisms stated in the Children in
Emergencies Law by developing standardized monitoring systems
b. Ensure greater attention to data collection and monitoring and evaluation of VAC during
emergencies and natural disasters to better understand the magnitude of the problem and
potential mitigation of risk and improve response

Online Child Protection

a. Use outcomes of planned National Study on Child Online Protection to guide development of
policy and legislation
b. Use outcomes of Capacity Gap Analysis (2016) on online child protection to develop
training/skills development for key stakeholders/partners on online child protection
c. Pursue regional and global partnerships on online child protection to share experiences and
further develop knowledge, tools and resources, particularly around data management and
development of technical skills, and building partnerships in the private sector

What reliefs may be granted in the TPO and PPO?

A TPO and PPO may grant any, some or all of the following reliefs:
a) Prohibiting respondent from threatening to commit or committing (personally or through other
persons) any act of VAWC
b) Prohibiting respondent from harassing, annoying, telephoning, contacting or communicating (directly
or indirectly) with the woman
c) Removing respondent from the house where the woman lives
d) Directing the respondent to stay away. (at a distance specified by the court) from
e) the woman and her children or any family or household member; or
f) the residence, school, place of employment, or any place frequented by the woman or any
designated family or household member
g) Direct and automatic remittance of a part of the respondent's salary as support
h) Granting temporary or permanent custody of the minor children to the woman
i) Directing possession and use by the woman of a vehicle and other essential personal effects,
regardless of ownership
j) Cancellation of firearm license
k) Payment for property damages, medical and childcare expenses and loss of income
l) Directing the DSWD to provide services and shelter.