REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Violence Against Women

Violence against women (VAW) appears as one of the country’s pervasive social problems. According to the 2017
National Demographic and Health Survey conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority, one in four Filipino women
age 15-49 has experienced physical, emotional or sexual violence by their husband or partner. It is indeed alarming
that despite efforts to address the concern, VAW persists.

A global estimation about 1 in 3 (35%) of women worldwide have experienced either physical/sexual intimate partner violence or

non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime published by WHO. Violence against women or VAW is a major public health problem

and violation against women’s rights. This is linked with the unequal power relation between women and men otherwise known as

“gender-based violence”. Societal norms and traditions dictate people to think that men are the leaders and take on the dominant

roles while women are the nurturer’s, men’s supporters and companions. This perception leads men to gain more power than

women and violence against women becomes an expression of men’s control over women for power. The Violence against

women results to physical, sexual or psychological damage.

In the Philippines, some realities that contribute to the vulnerability of Filipino women to VAW are being accused as “naggers” or

neglectful of their duties as wife the reason they are being beaten by their spouses or raped due to her flirtatious ways. Some

instances, filing for sexual harassment is interpreted as being malicious on the appreciation on her good looks. Lack of concrete

information in Violence against women in the country as many cases of violence against women often go unreported due to

victim’s “culture of silence”. Many of the victim’s are ashamed to relate their experiences while others dismiss it as a result of their

lack of faith in the country’s justice system. Several government mechanisms have already been put in place to address VAW,

even non-government organizations also take part.

Impacts of VAW:

It strikes the personhood of women

It does not only affect the physical and reproductive health but especially their mental and emotional state. It caused women to

feel ashamed, lose their self-esteem and threatens personal security.

Limits Human development

Affects social development and productivity decreases due to frequent absences. It is responsible for one out of every five healthy

days of life lost to women of reproduction age.

Further drains the country’s financial resources

The Philippines spends an estimated P6 billion pesos in 2002 to treat VAW survivors. It covers the medical treatment of injuries,

psychological therapies and programs for survivors.

Issue of Governance

A state promotes a good governance when it makes available effective remedies to eliminate VAW.
Violence Against Children
Physical violence

A high level of physical violence was reported in 2015. NBS-VAC found that two-in-three children (65.1% of 3,866
children) reported experiencing any form of physical violence in various settings.

According to the study, the most common types of physical violence inflicted on the children were:

1) spanked with the hands or rolled magazine or small stick, pulled hair, pinched or twisted ears;

2) slapped in the face, kicked, spanked or beaten with belt, hard wood, or any hard thing;

3) smothered until could hardly breathe, forced to put chili in the mouth, locked in a small space, tied or chained,
forced to stand with heavy weights and stand on mongo seeds or pebbles, forced to do heavy exercise, drowned,
burned or scalded, hurt with knife or gun; and

4) harmed in a way that required hospitalization. For both males and females, the top perpetrators of these types of
physical violence are the mother/stepmother, father/stepfather, brother/stepbrother, sister/stepsister and
grandmother. Perpetrators in some cases also included cousins, grandfathers, uncles, aunts and even house
helpers.

Psychological Violence

There is also a high level of psychological violence. In the Philippines, three-in-five children (61.5%) were reported to
have experienced any form of psychological violence in any setting.

Psychological violence, according to the study, is more prevalent among females than males, with respective
prevalence rates of 63.8% and 59.2%. Prevalence is lower among younger adolescents (aged 13 to 17 years old)
than older adolescents (aged 18 to 24 years old), at 58.7% and 65.7%, respectively. It is also higher for those in the
middle class. As the study posited, the likelihood of psychological violence is increased by some conditions at home,
such as parents not being present (for example, when they work overseas).

Sexual Violence

The study produced data showing that one-in-four children (24.9%) reportedly suffered from any form of sexual
violence in any setting.

At home, the majority of reported cases of overall sexual violence are perpetuated by the brother/stepbrother,
sister/stepsister, cousin, father/stepfather, and others (spouse 7 partner). While the top perpetrators of sexual
violence against females are brothers/stepbrothers and cousins, the top perpetrators against males are cousins and
fathers/stepfathers.

Violence in the Family (Women and Children)

Violence Against 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.

More and more women in the Philippines are being abused and subjected to acts of violence, with one in
five women aged 15 to 49 found to have experienced physical violence, while one in ten women have
experienced sexual violence.

WeDpro noted that cases of violence against women and children have risen over the years, despite the
passage of Republic Act (R.A.) 9208 in 2003, which sought to eliminate and punish human trafficking and
established the necessary institutional mechanisms for the protection and support of trafficked persons,
as well as R.A. 9262, the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004, which granted
the government the right to intervene in case of household violence or abuse against women and
children.

Family violence is when someone uses abusive behaviour to control and/or harm a member of their family, or
someone with whom they have an intimate relationship

Family violence includes many different forms of physical and emotional abuse, as well as neglect carried out by
family members or intimate partners. It may include a single act of violence, or a number of acts that form a pattern of
abuse. Family violence can have serious-and sometimes fatal-consequences for victims and for those who see or
hear the violence.

Physical abuse

Physical abuse, including assault, is the intentional use of force against a person without that person's consent. It can
cause physical pain or injury that may last a long time. Physical abuse includes:

 pushing or shoving
 hitting, slapping or kicking
 pinching or punching
 strangling or choking
 stabbing or cutting
 shooting
 throwing objects at someone
 burning
 holding someone down for someone else to assault
 locking someone in a room or tying them down
 killing someone

Sexual abuse

Sexual abuse of an adult can include:

 sexual touching or sexual activity without consent

 continued sexual contact when asked to stop
 forcing someone to commit unsafe or humiliating sexual acts

All sexual contact with anyone without consent is a crime.

Emotional abuse

Emotional abuse happens when a person uses words or actions to control, frighten or isolate someone or take away
their self-respect. Emotional abuse is sometimes called psychological abuse. It can include:
  threats, put downs, name calling or insults
 constant yelling or criticism
 controlling or keeping someone from seeing friends or family
 making fun of preventing someone from practicing their faith or religion
 destroying belongings, hurting pets or threatening to do so
 bullying: intimidation or humiliation (including on the Internet)

Many forms of emotional abuse are not crimes but can be signs that the abuse might get worse.

Some forms are crimes such as:

 threats to harm the person or someone else

 criminal harassment (stalking) which involves following or repeatedly contacting a person when they don't
want contact and they are afraid.

Protections Programs
Violence Against Women

Republic Act No. 9710 “An act providing for the Magna Carta of Women”.

Recognizing that the economic, political, and sociocultural realities affect women’s current condition, the
State affirms the role of women in nation building and ensures the substantive equality of women and
men. It shall promote empowerment of women and pursue equal opportunities for women and men and
ensure equal access to resources and to development results and outcome.

The State affirms women’s rights as human rights and shall intensify its efforts to fulfill its duties under
international and domestic law to recognize, respect, protect, fulfill, and promote all human rights and
fundamental freedoms of women, especially marginalized women, in the economic, social, political,
cultural, and other fields without distinction or discrimination on account of class, age, sex, gender,
language, ethnicity, religion, ideology, disability, education, and status.
Violence Against Children

Republic Act 7610: Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act

 It is hereby declared to be the policy of the State to provide special protection to children from all firms of
abuse, neglect, cruelty exploitation and discrimination and other conditions, prejudicial their development;
provide sanctions for their commission and carry out a program for prevention and deterrence of and
crisis intervention in situations of child abuse, exploitation and discrimination. The State shall intervene on
behalf of the child when the parent, guardian, teacher or person having care or custody of the child fails or
is unable to protect the child against abuse, exploitation and discrimination or when such acts against the
child are committed by the said parent, guardian, teacher or person having care and custody of the same.

Violence Against Family (Women and Children)

Republic Act 9262: Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004
Recognizing “the need to protect the family and its members particularly women and children from violence and
threats to their personal safety and security. RA 9262 was signed by former President Gloria Macapagal-
Arroyo on March 2, 2004.

The Act classifies violence against women and children (VAWC) as a public crime. Charges tougher
penalties for abusive husbands and men and marks the declaration of the State's valuation to “the dignity
of women and children and guarantees full respect for human rights”.

References:

https://pcw.gov.ph/violence-against-women/
- Violence Against Women

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Violence_against_women_in_the_Philippines#:~:text=9262%20is
%20known%20as%20The,Arroyo%20on%20March%202%2C%202004.
http://www.sei.dost.gov.ph/images/projects/GAD_RA9262.pdf
- Republic Act 9262: Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004

https://www.apc.org/en/blog/violence-against-women-children-philippines-rise-wedpro-calls-
collective-action
- Violence Against Women and Children

https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/cj-jp/fv-vf/about-apropos.html
- Violence in the Family

https://www.endviolence.org/sites/default/files/paragraphs/download/philippine%20plan%20of
%20action.pdf
- Violence Against Children
-
https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2009/08/14/republic-act-no-9710/
- Republic Act No. 9710 “An act providing for the Magna Carta of Women
https://pcw.gov.ph/republic-act-7610-special-protection-of-children-against-abuse-exploitation-
and-discrimination-act/
- Republic Act 7610: Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and
Discrimination Act