Three years after the passage of the Safe Space Act, the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) urged all agencies and private stakeholders in the country to “strengthen” the implementation of the law.
Republic Act No. 11313 or the Safe Spaces Act (Bawal Bastos Law) protects everyone from all forms of sexual harassment. It was signed on April 17, 2019.
“ call on all agencies and private stakeholders to strengthen the law’s implementation. Let us ensure the protection of all from gender-based sexual harassment in public spaces, educational and training institutions, workplaces, and online space,” said PCW on Monday, April 18.
Under the law, gender-based sexual harassment (GBSH) in public spaces include catcalling or unwanted remarks, persistent or uninvited comments or gestures, relentless requests for personal details, any advances that is unwanted and has threatened anyone, persistent sexual jokes, and stalking.
Penalties for the aforementioned acts vary from community service up to imprisonment of four months and one day depending on the act of GBSH committed and how often a person was convicted for violating the laws.
“Local government units (LGUs) may come up with ordinances that impose heavier penalties for the acts specified in the Safe Spaces Act, subject to the conditions set under the Administrative Code,” said PCW.
Meanwhile, online GBSH includes acts that use information and communications technology in terrorizing and intimidating victims. This likewise covers cyberstalking.
According to PCW, the penalty of online GBSH is imprisonment of six months and one day up to two years and four months or a fine of not less than P100,000 but not more than P500,000, or both “at the discretion of the court.”