Laws

The following are Philippine laws which relate to the protection of women and children.

RA 9262 (Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004)

RA 9262 is the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004. It seeks to address the prevalence of violence against women and children (VAWC), abuses on women and their children by their partners like:

• Husband or ex-husband
• Live-in partner or ex-live in partner
• Boyfriend/girlfriend or ex-boyfriend/ex-girlfriend
• Dating partner or ex-dating partner

The Act classifies violence against women and children (VAWC) as a public crime.

RA 9208 (The Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003)

RA 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 was signed into law by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on May 23, 2006.

Consonant with the state’s obligation to protect the dignity of the individual, this law criminalizes the act of trafficking in persons especially of women and children for prostitution, sexual exploitation and slavery, among others.

RA 8353 (The Anti-Rape Law of 1997)

The Anti-Rape Law of 1997 redefines rape as

• A Crime Against Person
  • Rape violates a woman’s well being and not just her virginity or purity. The law considers that any woman, whether a prostituted woman, non-virgin or one who has an active sexual life may be victimized by rape.
• A Public Offense
  • By declaring that rape is a crime against persons, the law no longer considers it as a private crime. Anyone who has knowledge of the crime may file a case on the victim’s behalf. Prosecution continues even if the victim drops the case or pardons the offender.

RA 7877 (The Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995)

RA 7877 is The Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995. It addresses the issue of sexual harassment committed in work and education or training environment.

It was signed into law on February 14, 1995 under former President Fidel Ramos’ administration.