BAGUIO CITY (PIA) – The Commission on Human Rights regional office in the Cordillera advises the public to be cautious of what they say and how they act towards other people especially in public places in order not to violate Republic Act 11313 or The Safe Spaces Act (Bawal Bastos Law).
Lawyer Mary Grace Valdez-Astudillo of CHR-CAR said that Gender-based Sexual Harassment (GBSH) in streets and public spaces is any act committed through any unwanted and uninvited sexual actions or remarks against any person, regardless of the motive.
“Kung wala po tayong masabi, isara nalang po natin ang ating bibig para hindi po tayo magkasala. The more we talk, the more mistakes we will create,” Astudillo reminded.
[If we have nothing good to say, it’s better to shut our mouth so as not to offend others.]
RA 11313 was signed into law on April 17, 2019, to address gender-based sexual harassment, both online and offline, and in public spaces to have equality, security, and safety not only in private places but also in public spaces, online, and especially in the workplace, schools, and training institutions. It is broader than the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995 as it covers all gender-based harassment.
The law defines a public space as all places, regardless of ownership, as long as it is openly accessible to people, all public transportation, and private vehicles covered by app-based transport service.
The prohibited acts include catcalling or any unwanted remarks towards a person, commonly wolf-whistling (paninipol), misogynistic, homophobic, transphobic, and sexiest remarks, sexual comments, and sexual jokes.
Penalties for GBSH may range from 12 hours of community service and P1,000 fine to imprisonment of four months and one day to six months or P100,000 fine, depending on the act of GBSH committed.
Astudillo encouraged victims to take courage to report gender-based sexual harassment. She assured that the government is ready to help.
“If ready ka na na mag-report nung karahasan, please do not hesitate kasi maraming tutulong sa’yo diyan. May mga pulis, mga law enforcement agencies, government agencies that are willing to help you para itong mga nang-aabuso o nangha-harass sa atin ay mabigyan ng parusa. Otherwise, kung tayo ay titikom lang ang ating bibig, hindi natin sasabihin ‘yung mga pang-aabusong ito, the perpetrator will always do it.”
In case there is no witness, the victim’s testimony will suffice as long as it is consistent, she explained.
“Kung consistent at totoo lahat ng sinasabi mo, hindi gawa-gawa, makikita po ‘yan ng court. Hindi po problema na wala kang ebidensiya,” Astudillo assured.
[If the victim is telling the truth and is consistent with his/her story, the court will see that. There’s no problem if there is no evidence.]
Victims can seek help at the Public Attorney’s Office, the Anti-Sexual Harassment Desk, the Philippine National Police, the Department of Labor and Employment for workplace harassment, and the Department of Education and Commission on Higher Education for school harassment.
Presidential Proclamation No. 731 series of 1996 declared the 2nd week of February of every year as the National Awareness Week for the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation, also known as the Child Sexual Abuse Awareness Week. [JDP/DEG with Arnmari Christine P. Dela Cruz- PIA-SLU Intern]
