As the country observes the National Women’s Month, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is calling on all Filipinos to actively report cases of domestic violence, including violence against women and children (VAWC), gender-based violence (GBV), and other forms of abuse.
“Women should never feel alone in their struggle against abuse, and they should know that they have the right to live a life free from violence. We encourage women to reach out, report cases of violence, and access the services available to them because VAWC is a crime,” DSWD spokesperson Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said on March 5.
The public can report cases of VAWC to several channels, including the Philippine National Police (PNP), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Public Attorney's Office (PAO), Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) Makabata Helpline, and their local Barangay VAW desks.
The DSWD’s call to action comes after a report showing that in 2024, the agency assisted 1,069 victims of domestic violence and abuse through its community-based programs and services.
“The fight against violence must be a collective effort, and we urge the public to stand together and break the culture of silence to better protect all women and their children,” Dumlao said.
Support services
As part of this year’s National Women’s Month theme, “Babae sa Lahat ng Sektor, Aangat ang Bukas sa Bagong Pilipinas,” the DSWD, as the chair of the Inter-Agency Council on Violence Against Women and their Children (IACVAWC), is encouraging VAWC victims to seek assistance in accessing essential services that help them rebuild their lives.
Through its centers and residential care facilities (CRCFs), Dumlao said the DSWD offers comprehensive social protection packages for survivors of domestic violence and GBV, including psychological support, rehabilitation, home care, and skills training.
“We provide financial, medical, and educational assistance; psychosocial counseling: and referrals to other concerned institutions such as the PAO,” Dumlao said.
“Through collective action, the DSWD aims to create safer spaces for women and ensure that the rights of every woman and child are respected, protected, and upheld,” she added.
Republic Act No. 9262, or the Anti-VAWC Act of 2004, defines VAWC as “any act committed by any person against a woman who is his wife, former wife, or against a woman with whom the person has or had a sexual or dating relationship, or with whom he has a common child, or against her child whether legitimate or illegitimate, within or without the family abode, which results in or is likely to result in physical, sexual, psychological harm or suffering, or economic abuse including threats of such acts, battery, assault, coercion, harassment or arbitrary deprivation of liberty.”