REPUBLIC ACT

NO.11313:
THE "SAFE
SPACES ACT“
(“Bawal Bastos” Law)
Picture by Michael Anjo Yadao, https://dribbble.com/shots/15631875-SAFE-SPACES-ACT
Discussant: Ms. Keziah A. Lagarto

References:
• gov.ph, ppp. (2022, June 1). Republic Act No. 11313 or The Safe Spaces Act (Bawal Bastos Law). REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP CENTER. Retrieved October 10, 2022, from https://ppp.gov.ph/press_releases/republic-act-no-11313-
or-the-safe-spaces-act-bawal-bastos-law/?fbclid=IwAR24sJLS1J7ycD_py_ODoJJN-
vopTTNTAEVSdO7mNDxbiuAkgfqpUUMg1SY#:~:text=11313%20or%20The%20Safe%20Spaces%20Act%20(Bawal%20Bastos%20Law)
%20covers,institutions%2C%20workplace%20and%20online%20space

• Abad, M. (2019, October 28). Fast Facts: How does the Safe Spaces Act protect
you? Rappler. https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/243538-things-to-know-about-safe-spaces-act/?
fbclid=IwAR2w3wnik8yZxvhYNysTmAYmuZHIfkWVF1cSyLb3uMQg6Kjdi4dlq4IdUP8

• Roy, P. (2020, September 15). The Safe Space Act. Behance.Net. https://www.behance.net/gallery/104328619/SAFE-SPACES-ACT-
INFOGRAPHIC
Fast Facts about The Safe Spaces Act
 Authored by Senator Riza Hontiveros- Baraquel "AN ACT DEFINING GENDER-BASED
SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN STREETS,
 PUBLIC SPACES, ONLINE,
 This law intends to expand the scope of the Anti-Sexual
WORKPLACES, AND EDUCATIONAL
Harassment Act of 1995 or R.A. 7877 (Abad, 2019). OR TRAINING INSTITUTIONS,
• The Safe Spaces Act, is fully enforced, protects everyone PROVIDING PROTECTIVE MEASURES
from sexual harassment both in physical and online spaces, AND PRESCRIBING PENALTIES
and not just by persons in authority THEREFOR", OTHERWISE KNOWN AS
THE "SAFE SPACES ACT“
How is it different from the old law?
The original law has a limited definition of sexual harassment and who can be considered the offender.
The first definition of sexual harassment is as follows: “…committed by an employer, employee, manager, supervisor, agent
of the employer, teacher, instructor, professor, coach, trainor, or any other person who, having authority, influence or
moral ascendancy over another in a work or training or education environment, demands, requests or otherwise
requires any sexual favor from the other, regardless of whether the demand, request or requirement for submission is
accepted by the object of said Act.”

Only persons in authority could be charged as offenders. There are no provisions for harassment by subordinates or peers.
Now anyone can be an offender.
What is this law all about? SEC. 6. Gender-Based Sexual
Harassment (GBSH) in Restaurants
and Cafes, Bars and Clubs,
Resorts and Water Parks, Hotels
and Casinos, Cinemas, Malls,
Buildings and Other Privately
Owned Places Open to the
Public. - The management of
restaurants, bars,
cinemas, malls, buildings and other privately-
owned places open to the public shall adopt a
policy of zero tolerance in their establishments
against gender-based streets and public
spaces sexual- harassment.

Graphics/Infographics by: Pauline Roy

Graphics/Infographics by: Pauline Roy
Graphics/Infographics by: Pauline Roy

Illustration by; Pulupandan MPS

@pnppulupandan
SEC. 13. Gender-Based Online Sexual Harassment. - Gender-
based online sexual harassment includes acts that use information
and communications technology in terrorizing and intimidating victims
through:
SEC. 5. Gender-Based Streets
and Public Spaces Sexual
Harassment. - The crimes of
gender-based streets and public Graphics/Infographics by: Pauline Roy

spaces sexual harassment are

committed through any
unwanted and uninvited sexual
actions or remarks against any
person regardless of the
motive for committing such
action or remarks.
SEC. 3. Declaration of Policies. - It is
the policy of the State to value the
dignity of every human person and
guarantee full respect for human rights.
It is likewise the policy of the State to
recognize the role of women in nation-
building and ensure the fundamental
equality before the law of women and
men. The State also recognizes that
both men and women must have
equality, security, and safety not only in
private but also on the streets, public
spaces, online, workplaces _ and
educational and training institutions.
Now anyone can be an offender.