This document summarizes a research paper on married women's knowledge and perceptions of violence against women and children in Purok 4, Barangay Cadalian, Davao City. It provides background on the problem prioritization process that identified violence against women and children as a key issue. It then reviews literature on different forms of violence, including physical abuse, marital rape, property destruction, verbal abuse, economic abuse, and threats to children's education. The literature finds that violence affects millions of women worldwide and in the Philippines, despite legal protections, and discusses specific studies on the various types of abuse.
This document summarizes a research paper on married women's knowledge and perceptions of violence against women and children in Purok 4, Barangay Cadalian, Davao City. It provides background on the problem prioritization process that identified violence against women and children as a key issue. It then reviews literature on different forms of violence, including physical abuse, marital rape, property destruction, verbal abuse, economic abuse, and threats to children's education. The literature finds that violence affects millions of women worldwide and in the Philippines, despite legal protections, and discusses specific studies on the various types of abuse.
This document summarizes a research paper on married women's knowledge and perceptions of violence against women and children in Purok 4, Barangay Cadalian, Davao City. It provides background on the problem prioritization process that identified violence against women and children as a key issue. It then reviews literature on different forms of violence, including physical abuse, marital rape, property destruction, verbal abuse, economic abuse, and threats to children's education. The literature finds that violence affects millions of women worldwide and in the Philippines, despite legal protections, and discusses specific studies on the various types of abuse.
Knowledge and Perception on Violence against Women and their Child among Married
Women of Purok 4 Barangay Cadalian, Baguio District, Davao City
A Research Paper Presented to the Department of Community Medicine Davao Medical School Foundation, Inc. College of Medicine
In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements In Community Medicine IV
Submitted by Songcaya, Cherie Anne V. Tapia, Cherrie A.
FEBRUARY 2014 CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study In the conduct of problem prioritization during our community diagnosis program, community members reported that they are not aware about violence against women and their children (VAWC), which was included in one of the questions in the survey conducted, so ranked this problem as number 6 in their problem prioritization. They also added that there are several unreported cases of domestic violence in their community, particularly physical abuse. The community wanted to know more about VAWC so they will arm themselves with knowledge to protect their rights as women in the community. Violence affects the lives of millions of women worldwide, in all socio-economic and educational classes (UNDPI,1996). All violence against women takes a variety of from domestic abuse and rape to child marriages and female circumcision. These violence affects1 in 3 women globally in her lifetime and these women are 3 times more likely to acquire HIV than those who are not abused. Approximately one woman is beaten by their partners or husbands every 43 minutes while one child is battered every one hour and 20 minutes. A woman or child is harassed every 4 hours (One Billion Rising Philippines, 2013). Despite the law enacted in the year 2004 known as the RA 9262 or the Anti- Violence Against Women and their Children Act violence against women are still reported so to protect the rights of women and children a campaign was made to educated the world 1 billion fold so One Billion Rising was launch. In Davao city National and Local Integrated Gender and Development Division (IGDD) was organized its vision- mission is to be the catalyst within the local government unit to ensure the appropriate involvement of women in the mainstream development activities in all areas and all stage. And to be the innovator and nurturer of new ideas, programs, projects and services which promote women empowerment and gender equality in the city (www.davaocity.gov).Despite these established campaign and program there are still increasing cases of violence against women and their children. In fact, local statistics showed an increasing cases of violence against women and their children reported in the Center for Womens Resources or CWR with a noted increase of 47.74% from 18,242 in 2009 to 26,951 in 2010 (www.newvoicecompany.com). According to Sunstar Davao last September 2013 records obtained from the IGDD showed that economic abuse numbers the most complaint under Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act of 2004 since 2010 with 375 cases in 2010 and 448 cases in 2011 and 659 cases in 2012.
Review of Related Literature Violence against women is a worldwide phenomenon. It was said that it is a development issue, because it became an obstacle to the achievement of equality, security, liberty and dignity of all human beings. In the Philippines, tremendous and significant progress has been made in addressing and eliminating violence against women by both government and non-government organization (A Deeper Look at Violence against Women: The Philippine Case, 2000). The 2008 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) conducted by the National Statistics Office (NSO) introduced the "Women Safety Module" which aims to capture the extent and types of VAW experienced by women (15-49 years old). The NDHS revealed that one in five women aged 15-49 has experienced physical violence since age 15; 14.4 percent of married women have experienced physical abuse from their husbands; and more than one-third (37%) of separated or widowed women have experienced physical violence, implying that domestic violence could be the reason for separation or annulment.
Marital Rape A common myth surrounding rape and other forms of sexual violence is the belief that these crimes are most often perpetrated by strangers. In fact, through our experience of working with women and girls affected by sexual violence, we know that around 85% of survivors / victims know their attacker prior to the rape or assault and that often this violence is perpetrated by a partner or ex-partner. In a study conducted by Finkelhor and Yllo last 1985, they estimated that 10 to 14 percent of all married women have been or will be raped by their spouses. Also a study conducted by Best last 1999 shows those victims of marital rape before have long histories, but was ignored, neglected and hidden from view. These problems was now resolved in America because marital rape is now considered as crime to women. The evolution of feminist thought on rape has led to increasingly broad standards in redefining the domain of sexual assault. He added that women in our patriarchal culture can never freely consent to sex. Staying in a relationship that involves or has involved sexual violence does not mean a woman is 'weak' or any less deserving of specialist support and justice than a woman raped in any other kind of circumstance. Everyone has the right to say 'no' to sex on any occasion and under any circumstances, regardless of whether they've given consent to sex with that person in the past. Sex without consent is rape, whether it takes place within a marriage or any other kind of relationship. (Rape Crisis England and Wales, 2014).
Destroying Properties Domestic violence is a pattern of coercive and assaultive behaviors that include physical, sexual, verbal, and psychological attacks and economic coercion that adults use against their intimate partner. It is not typically a singular event and is not limited to only physical aggression. In progression of domestic violence includes 5 phases as stated in PHASE 1: Pre- battering violence: verbal abuse, hitting objects, throwing objects, breaking objects, and making threats; increased tension, anger, blaming and arguing. When abusers hit or break objects or make threats, almost 100% resort to battering.
Verbal Abuse Verbal abuse is a feature of emotional abuse and an article from Sweden states that it is a mechanism that 'communicates worthlessness'.(Hyden, 1995). Emotional abuse includes verbal attacks, harassment, belittling, excessive possessiveness, isolation of partner, and deprivation of physical and economic resources. (Alexander, 1993). A study conducted in Japan, of the 796 respondents in this study, 523 indicated that they experienced one or more of the fourteen identified types of emotional abuse. The largest proportion reported verbal abuse. (Yoshihama and Sorenson, 1994). A study conducted by Sprigg et al last april 2007 stated that, the most frequent perceived reasons for verbal abuse were: They are frustrated, They are anxious and They don't understand the tasks I must perform, which were significantly more frequent than were other reasons, including They are in a hurry or They are drunk. One of the first books to describe verbal abuse in adults was Patricia Evan's book The Verbally Abusive Relationship. She interviewed forty verbally abused women who ranged in age from 21 to 66. Most of the women had left a verbally abusive relationship.
Economic Abuse Economic abuse according to UP-PGH Womens Desk is defined as trying to keep her from getting or keeping job; making her ask for money; giving her allowance; taking her money; controlling the financial aspects of the family. According to the Society for Disabilities Study last 2007; a study conducted among persons with disabilities revealed that one of the types of abuse that they had experienced is economic or financial abuse. Economic abuse is usually experienced by the elderly because they are not allowed to take control of their money. Economic Abuse tops the reported VAWC reported in Mindanao. This includes sole control of family money, making a woman dependent on her husband for money also making scenes that will make a woman unemployed. For separated couples, husbands minimal or no financial provision for his children is the main complain in the womens desk in Davao City.
Childrens Right to Education Every child has the right to education, for educations transforms lives and breaks the cycle of poverty that traps so many children. United Nations perceive that and educated child will make sure that his/her own children will be educated (UNICEF, 2013). Education has a profound effect on girls and womens ability to claim other rights and achieve status in society, such as economic independence and political representation. As the following examples demonstrate, having an education can make an enormous difference to a womans chances of finding well-paid work, raising a healthy family and preventing the spread of diseases such as HIV and AIDS. Study conducted by Benn, Girls entitled Education: Towards a better Future for all, 2005) they summarized that despite the progress of the government education for all, girls are found to be uneducated than boys. Violence against girls and women has been identified as a key barrier to girls education. Early marriage is a reality for many, where families wish for the social and economic benefits this brings. In Bangladesh and Afghanistan, more than 50 per cent of girls are married by age 18. Across the world many children miss out on their education because: they are made to work they are recruited into armed forces their families do not have the means to pay for schooling discrimination and racism undermine their chance to receive an education they face violence as they pursue their education.
Physical Abuse In the past few decades, worldwide, there has been an increase in research on interpersonal violence and trauma histories. Physical abuse consists of anything an intimate partner does to the other partner that causes physical pain. If the partner has slapped, pinched, punched, thrown things at his partner or assaulted her with a weapon, she is a victim of domestic violence. According to divorce.com by Cathy Meyer, here are the physical abuse statistics in the US: One in four women (25%) has experienced domestic violence in her lifetime. Between 600,000 and 6 million women are victims of domestic violence each year, and between 100,000 and 6 million men, depending on the type of survey used to obtain the data. Women ages 20-24 are at the greatest risk of nonfatal intimate partner violence. Between 1993 and 2004, intimate partner violence on average made up 22% of nonfatal intimate partner victimizations against women. The same year, intimate partners committed 3% of all violent crime against men. Separated and divorced males and females are at a greater risk of nonfatal intimate partner violence. Women and men of all races are about equally vulnerable to violence by an intimate partner. Intimate partner violence affects people regardless of income. However, people with lower annual income (below $25K) are at a 3-times higher risk of intimate partner violence than people with higher annual income. Studies show that access to shelter services leads to a 60-70% reduction in incidence and severity of re-assault during the 3-12 months follow up period compared to women who did not access shelter. Shelter services led to greater reduction in severe re-assault than did seeking court or law enforcement protection, or moving to a new location. Nearly three out of four (74%) of Americans personally know someone who is or has been a victim of domestic violence. 30% of Americans say they know a woman who has been physically abused by her husband or boyfriend in the past year.
Marital Infidelity Some 11% of adults who have ever been married or cohabited have been unfaithful to their partner, according to the results of a national survey. The investigators assessed the influence of adults' opportunities for meeting additional sex partners, sexual values and tastes, current relationship and demographic characteristics on the odds of being unfaithful. When these factors were analyzed together, thinking about sex several times a day, having had a high number of prior sex partners, living in a central city, being male or black, and having been part of a couple for a long time were all associated with an increased risk of infidelity. Disapproving of sexual infidelity and sharing social networks with one's partner were associated with reduced odds of having been unfaithful. Commenting on the study's findings, one of the researchers observes that sexual behavior is social behavior, and suggests that interventions aimed at reducing risky sexual behavior should take into account the social contexts in which individuals make decisions related to sexual partnerships, as well as demographic risk factors (Treas J and Giesen D, Sexual infidelity among married and cohabiting Americans, Journal of Marriage and the Family, 2000).
Who will be reprimanded by the law Women can also be executed for violence against women. These may include the lesbian partners/girlfriends or the former partner of the victim to whom she had sexual or dating relationship (Barangay Protection Order RA 9262 Primer. Department of Interior and Local Government, National Barangay Operations Office, 2004).
Causes of Domestic Violence Domestic violence can start when one partner feels the need to control and dominate the other. The need for control maybe rooted from low self-esteem, extreme jealousy, difficulty in regulating strong emotions and anger, or when people feel inferior to the other partner in education and socio-economic background. Other men with very traditional belief that they have the right to control women, and women are not equal to men. Studies also suggest that violent behavior is often caused both by situational and individual factors. Simply means that violent behavior may come from his/her family, people from their community and other cultural influences as they grow up. They may have seen violence often or they may be a victim of violence themselves. For children who witnessed violence they will perceive that being violent is reasonable to resolve conflict between people. Lastly alcohol and other chemical substances may contribute to violent behavior according to theory of inhibition which was bypassed because of these chemicals (What causes Domestic Violence, Toby Goldsmith, 2013).
Reporting witnessed VAW in the Community It is essential to understand why female victims of domestic violence dont report or dont seek help when they experience domestic violence. The reasons so many cases go unreported are both personal (embarrassment, fear of retaliation, economic dependency) and societal (imbalanced power relations for men and women in society, privacy of the family, victim blaming attitudes). So a study was conducted to know whether this domestic violence was really invisible to the social environment of the victim and if it is socially visible why do they not report. Here is the result of the study. These results suggest that many cases of intimate partner violence, although unreported, are known to the social circle surrounding the victim. While these data support that, especially among friends and family, most cases are known, there is a significant reserve of cases obscured from those close to victims and abusers. The same opinion poll also shows that 46% of European Union citizens think that the provocative behavior of women is a cause of domestic violence against women, which indicates a high prevalence of victim blaming attitudes. And, as social scientists know, being held responsible for their own victimization reduces significantly the chances of receiving help. These attitudes also help to maintain a climate of social tolerance for intimate partner violence (E. Garcia, Unreported cases of domestic violence against women: towards an epidemiology of social silence, tolerance, and inhibition, 2004). In the study also conducted by Laisser et al, last 2011 done using focus group discussions with 75 men and women was conducted in a community setting of urban Tanzania showed that some informants reflected the importance of supportive neighbors but clarified difficulties for community members to intervene in complex situations that involved violence, wherein they shared that, "People fight at night with the doors closed. Who will open the door for you? Can you break the door of somebody's house? It is an offense. Maybe what we need are strong laws which can strictly be followed." Objective of the Problem
General Objective The study aims to describe VAWC among married women in Barangay Cadalian. Specific Objectives 1. To determine the knowledge of women regarding Anti-Violence against Women and their children with regards to: Marital rape Destroying properties Verbal abuse Economic abuse Right to education Physical Abuse Who will be reprimanded by the law Marital infidelity 1. To cite stories about the experience of two women who were a survivor of domestic violence. 2. To determine the womens perception, in terms of: Whether they will report any form of violence to the authorities any form of violence Why there are women and children who were abused Whether they would report if they witnessed a domestic violence in their neighborhood
Significance of the Study To the community members: They will know about the nature and causes of VAWC. They will be educated about their rights as woman. Hence they will be empowered the achieving the MDG goal number 3. To the community leaders: This research will help them assess whether there is a need for a VAWC seminar to be conducted by a knowledgeable CSSDO team. They may also organize program or policies for the victims of violence in the community. To the future researchers: This study may be of help for their future reference.
Chapter II
METHOD
This chapter presents the method utilized by the researchers in data gathering. The research design, locale of the study, unit of analysis, sampling method, data collection and procedures, treatment of data, as well as the limitation of the study are described in this chapter.
Research Design This study utilized a descriptive study design.
Locale of the Study The research was conducted at Purok 4, Barangay Cadalian, Baguio District, Davao City. Purok 4 is one among the 10 Puroks in Barangay Cadalian. It has a total population of 43 households and 248 household members.
Unit of Analysis The unit of analysis utilized in this research is a married woman of Purok 4.
Sampling Method All 35 married women of Purok 4, who permitted the conduct of the study, served as subjects of this study. Data Collection and Procedures The researchers conducted a house to house interview was done after identifying the subjects of the study. The objective of the research was explained well to each household in their own understanding as possible and they were asked if they would consent to continue the interview. A scheduled interview was done. Those respondents who disclose to be a survivor of domestic violence were asked if they will consent that their stories be included in this study and their statement be recorded using a voice recorder and every data that will gathered will be keep confidentially.
Treatment of Data All the information gathered from the interview with regards to demographic profile and knowledge about VAWC was tallied. Results of the tallies were encoded in Microsoft excel.
Limitations of the Study This research was conducted last March 2014 that was to the knowledge and perception of married women to VAWC.
Ethical Considerations Informed consent was obtained from each of the participants before the start of the study. Each participant was oriented regarding the purpose and conduct of the study. The participants were also assured of that all information gathered will be kept confidential. Chapter III
RESULTS
Demographic Profile
Figure 1. Distribution of Respondents by Age Thirty- one respondents are aged 19-50 years old, and 4 out of 35 respondents are aged 50 years old above.
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 19 - 50 years old 50 years old above Age of Respondents
Figure 2. Distribution of Respondents by Educational Attainment This figure shows the distribution of respondents with regards to their educational attainment. Ten out of 35 respondents attended college, 11 attended elementary level and 14 out of 35 respondents reach high school level.
Figure 3. Distribution of respondents in Years of Marriage 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 Elementary Level High School Level College Level Educational Attainment 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 20 years nd above 11 - 20 years 1 - 10 years Married in Years Figure 3 shows the distribution of the respondents with regards to years in marriage. Fifteen respondents were married for 1-10 years, 13 out of 35 were married for 11-20 years and 7 are married for 20 years above.
Figure 4. Distribution of Respondents with regards to their Tribe This figure is showing the distribution of respondents with regards to their tribe. Majority of the respondents which is 15 are Bagobo, 14 are Bisaya 3 out of 25 are Bol-anon and 1 respondents is Ilonggo.
Knowledge on Violence Against Women Table 1. Number of Respondents about Knowledge on Violence against Women and their Child
Knowledge on the following:
Correct
Incorrect 1) Marital Rape 35 - 2) Destroying Properties 10 25 3) Verbal Abuse 6 29 4) Economic Abuse 35 - 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 Ilonggo Bol-anon Bisaya Bagobo Tribe 5) Right to Education 27 8 6) Physical Abuse 35 - 7) Who will be Reprimanded by Law 13 22 8) Marital Infidelity 35 -
Thirty-five respondents were asked about 8 basic questions on VAWC. Marital rape, economic abuse, physical abuse and marital infidelity as violence against women. Twenty-seven respondents considered not sustaining education for their children is a form of violence. Out of 35 respondents 13 answered correctly on who will be reprimanded by law. Destroying properties and economic abuse are considered a violence of 10 and 6 respondents respectively.
Perception on Violence against Women A question about reporting violence to the authorities performed to them or to their children. Three out of 35 these respondents answered that will certainly report, 9 will most likely report, 7 may not report and 15 will not report. The respondents were asked to enumerate reasons why are there women and children who were victims of violence, 30 of the respondents enumerated that husband who is a drunkard is a cause of violence. Twenty-nine said that it might be the use of drugs by the husband. Ten respondents reasoned that the husband may come from an abusive family. Eight respondents enumerated that women are to blame because they are nagger or they did not submit completely to their husbands, their children may be hard- headed and did not perform the task assigned to them. Three of the respondents added that marital infidelity and influence by friends and two added unplanned pregnancy as a cause of violence. A situation was presented to the respondents situating them to have witnessed domestic violence performed to their neighbor, will they report this event to the authorities. Ten of the respondents will certainly report, 11 will likely to report 13 will not likely to report and 1 will certainly not report.
CHAPTER IV
DICUSSION
This chapter will discuss about the knowledge and perceptions of the respondents regarding violence against women and their children. The research have a total of 35 married respondents who consent the conduct study and shared their private family issues, what they know about VAWC and their perception about VAWC. Two out of 35 respondents opened that they experienced violence by their intimate partner and they both permitted to have their story included in the researchers paper.
Socio-Demographic Profile The respondents are aged from 19-50 with 31 respondents and only 4 respondents were aged 51 above. Of the 35 respondents 11 of them attended elementary 14 out of 35 attended high school and 10 attended college. All of the respondents are married. Fifteen out of 35 were married for 1-10 years, 13 were married for 11-20 years and 7 out of 35 were married for 20 years above. The majority of the respondents belong to a Bagobo tribe with 15 respondents, 14 belong to Bisaya tribe and 3 out of 35 were Bol-anon and 1 out of 35 is an Ilonggo.
Knowledge The researcher measured their knowledge about VAWC by asking them 8 basic questions about VAWC (see Appendix 3 for the questionnaire.) Scoring was based on an 8 item question a score of 0-3 is poor, 4-5 is fair out 35 have a score of 4-5 which is fair and 6-8 good. Twenty-seven out of 35 have a good basic knowledge about VAWC. These reported they heard it over a radio program or the television show and some attended a formal lecture conducted by CSSDO at Baguio district. And 8 scored fair in the basic knowledge on VAWC.
Marital Rape All of the respondents acknowledge that marital sex is a violation against their rights as a wife. Two of our respondents shared that they experienced marital rape and the following are their statements. Ang akoang bana kung mahubog iyaha kong pugson nga makipagtalik, ingon siya nga ang kamot lang daaw ug ang till ang makapoy kung magtrabaho said Elvie. ( If my husband comes home drunk he will force me to have sex with him reasoning that only my hands and feet are tired when Im doing the days work.) Nahimo sa akoang bana ug kadaghan nga ako makigsekso kaniya labi na kong muoli siya nga hubog, kung dili ko musugot iyaha kung pasanginlan nga naa daw koy uban said Tania (My husband usually forced me to have sex with him especially when his drunk, and if I disagree he will accuse me of seeing someone else). From there answers we can say that they are knowledgeable about marital rape. Sexual violence against women by intimate partners in the home increases the chance of womens vulnerability to HIV infection and further violence. (Dr. Yarin Erluk, UN special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women, 2006). They added that women who are sexually violated are 3 times more likely to acquire HIV. According to Anti-VAWC act, Sexual Violence refers to act which is sexual in nature, committed to the woman or her child it includes, but are not limited to, a). rape, sexual harassment, acts of lasciviousness, treating the child and the woman as sex objects, making demeaning and sexually suggestive remarks, physically attacking the sexual parts of the victim, forcing them to watch obscene publications and shows or mare films thereof, forcing the wife, mistress/lover to live in the conjugal home or sleep together in the room with the abuser, b). acts causing or attempting to cause the victim to engage in any sexual activity by force, threat of force, physical or other harm or threat of physical or other harm or coercion, c). Prostituting the woman or her child.
Destroying properties Ten out of 35 respondents answered the question correctly, stating that damaging property is a type of violence. They reason that if a husband wreaks things they feel harmed emotionally so it is a form of abuse. Tania added Maglabay akoang asawa sa amoang gamit sa gawas, ug usahay ginatamakan niya ang amoang pag-kaon sa lamesa, maghilak nalang ang amoang anak kay wala na miy kaonon. (My husband throws things outside the house and sometimes he step on our food serve on the table, our child only do is cry for there is no food to eat). Elvie also shared her experience, Gilabay sa akoang bana ang kladero nga nay luto nga kan-on sa gawas sa amoang balay, iyahang pang gubaon ang amoang plato ug mga baso kung masuko siya. (He threw our cooking pot with cooked rice outside the house, he even break our plates and glasses when he is angry). These question points out to a kind of psychological abuse. It refers to acts or omission causing or likely to cause mental or emotional suffering of the victim. Twenty- five of the 35 respondents answered that it is not a violation of the anti-VAWC act, and rationalized that it may be okay as long as nobody got hurt physically during the event or when the husband does not threw things directly to the wife or his children (Republic Act 9262 Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children 2004, Briefer). Verbal Abuse Of the 35 respondents only 6 identified verbal abuse as a violation to their right. They reason that they usually fight with their husband and said violent words against each other. This women point out that verbal fight is okay and it usually happens in the family. Tania verbalized that Naga away mi sa akoang bana, makaingon siya nako ug sakit nga mga tawag, ug gani mao ni ang sugod sa iyahang pagkaviolente nako. Una siya nga naga pasakit nako pinaagi sa istorya, kay kuno Bagobo ko, ug ang akoang batasan kay pang bukid kay bagobo ko. Iyaha pa gani ko ingnan ug dali rad aw ko niya mailisdan ug gustuhon niya. (He started acting violent against me verbally, he says that my behavior are like the uptown people for I am a bagobo, he even added that he can easily replace me if he wanted to). Elvie was also verbally abused nay panahon nga hadlokon ko niya nga iyaha kong patyon, murag naka drugs siya ato, mura gyud siya ug si satanas. (There was a time that he verbally abused me he treated to kill me, he looks like the devil when he is under the influence of illegal drugs). This question still pertains to a type of psychological abuse particularly humiliation and threat of infidelity these will likely to cause mental and emotional suffering to the mans victim. In a study conducted entitled Breaking the Silence: The Realities of Family Violence in the Philippines Verbal Abuse rank 4 of the reported type of abuse, this may be explained that verbal altercation is considered normal by the families in the Philippines and parallel the results in this study that bitter quarrel is said okay by the research respondents. Tanias statement that his husband first verbally abused her then eventually led to physical abuse. This situation paralleled the phase 1 of abuse which include verbal abuse that eventually evolve to battering almost 100% according to a study by
Economic Abuse All of the respondents agreed that the sole control of family money is a type of violence. Tania said that Wala ko naga pangayo sa akoang bana ug kwarta bisan wala na mi makaon sa akoang anak kay iyaha mang pangitaon ang iyahang hinatag, mao na amoang awayan napud ug is aka semana, mas maayo nga ako ang mgita ug kwarta ug ako ang mupalit sa amoang panginanhanglan ( I dont ask money from my husband, because one time he gave me money (200php) he always looked for it when his home, he doesnt want me to spend his money and this will be the source of our week-long quarrel, so I work and earn money for us). Elvie added that Dili gusto sa akoang bana nga maka kwarta ko, dili siya gusto na mamaligya ko ug mga gulay, gusto niya nga sa balay lang ko kauban sa akoang mga anak. Ingon pa siya nga ang inahan kuno dapat naa ra sa balay kay kung naa sa gawas ang inahan dili niya mabantayuan ang mga anak mao ang himungdan sa disgrasiya. Akoang rason nganong mamaligya ko kay, wala niya gina suportahan ang pag-eskwela sa akoang mga anak , ingon siya samok samok ug gasto lang daw kini, mao ako ang naga pangita ug kwarta para pang eskwela nila kay di ko gusto nga pareha sa akoang kahimtang ang ilahang matagamtaman. ( My husband doesnt want me to earn money, instead he wants me to stay home and tend to our children needs. My reason of going out to sell vegetables is to send our children to school because I dont want them to end in the dump like me, my husband does not support my children schooling because he perceive that it only hinders their success and nobody needs education because everybody can learn on their own instead of spending high cost tuition). This question pertains to a kind of economic abuse means the husband prevents her wife from getting or keeping a job. Making her ask for money.Giving her an allowance.Taking her money. Not letting her know about or have access to family income. The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence reported that victims of intimate partner violence lost almost 8 million days of paid work because of violence penetrated to them by current or former husbands, boyfriends and dates. This loss is the equivalent of more than 32000 full-time jobs and almost 5.6 million days of household productivity as a result of violence. Right to Education Twenty-seven out of 35 answered that not sending children to school is a type of violence. As Elvie mentioned that her husband dont support her children to school so she work hard for them. This will point out to abuse to children for right to education is a law in article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Articles 13 and 14 of the International Covenant on Economic and Social Rights and this includes the right to free, compulsory primary education for all (Wikipedia). National Statistics Office reported that 1 out of every 8 Filipinos 6-24 years old is an Out-0f-School-Youth and Davao ranks second of the largest regions with 19% of all Out-of- School youth. Physical Abuse All of the respondents responded that physical abuse is a form of violence and it should not be tolerated by any family. Physical abuse include pushing, shoving, hitting, shaking, choking, pulling of hair, punching, kicking, grabbing, using a weapon or object, beating throwing her down, twisting arms, tripping, biting, throwing things, pushing her out of the vehicle and leaving her in the cold. Tania recalled that Una-una gyud siyang nanakit sa akoa (husband) kay katong nagbuntis ko mga lima na siya kabulan sa akoang tiyan, ang akoang bana ginasumbag ko, ginahapak ko sa bongbong ug sa hagdanan, mo trabaho gihapon ko pagka-ugma bisan sakit akoang lawas ug daghan ko ug lagom-lgom. Ginahimo niya ni perminti nako, labi na kung hubog siya, na nganak ko sa hospital gi tabangan nako ankoa kaugaliungon nga makasakay paadto sa hospital kay wala man siya. Tong naka anak na ko niapas siya sa hospital unya hubog siya atongtungora. Tong 3 years old na akoang anak, iyaha napud kong gikulata kay naa daw koy lalaki, iyaha kung gipatulog sa gawas sa amoang balay kauban akoang anak, natulog lang mi sa trisikad nga akoang ginaparentahan, naluoy gyud ko sa akoang anak atong panahona. (My husband first hit me when I was 5 months pregnant with our only daughter, he slapped me and punch me and shove me hitting the ladder, even so I still manage to go to work even with my aching body and my bruises. He always does this to me especially when his drunk. I delivered our daughter at the hospital but I brought myself there, when I delivered our child he catch-up but he was drunk that time. When our child was 3 years old my husband hit me and he accused me that I having an affair, so he let me and my child sleep outside our house, so my daughter and I slept in a trisikad that I own, I feel so sorry for my child). Elvie experienced the same thing she further elaborated that Pirminte manumbag akoang asawa kung hubog siya, iyaha kong sumbagon, sagpaon, sipaon, pero ang pinaka grabe sa tanan kay katong iyaha kong gitutukan ug pusil, ang akoang gihimo, nidagan ko ug nilukso sa amoang bintana ug ni ambak ko sa fishpond nag napalibutan ug tag-as kayo nga mga sagbot. Kuyaw kayo to siya, murag nafeel nako na niagi ang bala sa akoang ulohan. ( My husband abused me physically almost every time, usually when he is drunk, the worst situation I must say is when he pointed gun at me. What I did was, I jump out of our house through the window and into the fish pond that was surrounded by tall grass, I felt that the bullet went straight through my head, it was so scary). According to Domestic Violence Statistics that around the world, at least one in every three woman, most often the abuser is a member of her own family. Domestic violence was also considered the leading cause of injury to women, more often than car accidents, muggings and rape combined. They also reported that up to 10 million children witness some form of domestic violence annually. And the most striking report is that more than 3 women are murdered by their husband or boyfriends in the US. According to an article by Tess Raposas intitled Marriage and Violence: A Fatal Combination in the Philippines, Where Divorce is Illegal, it was stated that intimate partner violence is the most prevalent form of abuse against women in the Philippines but married women have no why out because divorce is illegal in the Philippines and Malta who are considered a stronghold of Christianity. Who can be reprimanded by the law Thirteen out of 35 respondents did not agree that only husbands can be accused of violence. And 22 out of 35 agreed that only husbands can be reprimanded by the law. According to the RA 9262 briefer, women can also be liable under the law. These can be lesbian partners/girlfriends or former partners of the victim with whom she has or had a sexual or dating relationship. Marital Infidelity All of the respondents answered that adultery can be a ground for a case under VAWC. It is further stated in RA 9262 briefer that infidelity is a type of abuse that is under psychological violence. So the affected partner can file a case of VAWC to her abusive partner. According to RA 9262 it is sited as mental infidelity which means a relationship between a person and someone other than his spouse or lover that has impact on the level if intimacy, emotional distance and overall dynamic balance in the marriage. The role of the affair is to create emotional distance in the marriage (Wikipedia). Perception about VAWC Three of the respondents answered they will certainly report the incident, 9 said they will most likely report the incident, 7 may not report and 15 will not report abuse. For those who will and will not likely to report reasoned that they will try to save the family and they want their children to have a good family structure. They also added that they are financially incapable of living their husband and they might not sustain the needs of their children when she is alone. Tania added that Gusto nako nay papa ang akoang anak pag dako niya, mao dili nako siya I report. Maulaw pud ko ug mahadlok sa ingnon sa mga tao nako labi na sa akoang mga pamilya kay ako baya gyud ang nagpili sa akoang banahon, sila wala sila nisugot nga asawahon nako siya, nalibog ko kung unsaon nako. ( I was afraid of what others will talk behind my back and what will my family tell me, Im embarrassed, Im confused all I want was to provide my child with a complete family.) Why women dont leave abusive relationship is because she may have a little money to support her children, she cannot seek help to his family and friends for help or refuse to seek help. Or she may feel frightened, confused and embarrassed to leave (womenshealth.gov). For Elvie she seek help at the barangay council during the 1996 were VAWC was not yet implemented she stated that Tong iyaha kung gitutukan ug pusil ni diretso ko ug pangayo ug tabang sa barangay Kapitan, ang iyahang gi-ingon balikan lang daw nako akoang bana kay pagmahal ra gihapon daw tong iyahang gibuhat ug dala ra to sa kahubog. Mao pud ang gi ingon sa amoang pastor, pasay-luon nako akoang bana kay tao ra siya makasala so ako daw ang magpasaylo kay asawa ko niya. Pero wala na ko nakig- uli niya human sa 10 ka tuig nga pang abuso nakamatngon na ko muhawa na ko basi mapatyan ko niya, ni sugot pud akoang uganggan nga babaye mao nibiya ko kauban akoang mga anak. (When he pointed gun at me I went directly to our then barangay Captain, and he just told me that I should forgive my husband because he did that only because he was drunk and it was still a sign of love, my pastor also told me that I should learn to forgive a thousand folds because I was his wife. But I tolerated his abuse for almost 10 years so I decided to leave with the permission of my mother-in-law before my husband kill me. I leave home together with my children.). Reasons why there are women and children who are victims of violence The common answers among the respondents are that the husband might be a drunkard and he is under the influence of illegal drugs. According to Tania Ang akoang bana naa siya mga amigo na nagasulsul niya ug mga pangit sa akoa kung mag-inom sila mao kung mu-uli siya ako dayon iyahang pahimongtan, sa akoang tan-aw nagagamit pud sila ug shabu. (My husband is a drunkard his friends talks bad about me so when he gets home he abuse me, I think that he also use shabu). Elvie added that Nagsugod ug pagkaviolente akoang bana tong naka trabaho siya sa CAFGU, naa naman gud siyay barkada unya mang hagad niya ug inom, kung makainom siya iyaha nakong pasakitan unya ug mahuwansan siya iyaha dayon ingnon nga wala siya nakahinumdom nga iyaha kong gipasakitan. Sa trabaho pud niya nga CAFGU makadakop pud na sila ug mga tawo nga gagamit ug droga, so siguro, pero wala ko kakita, nagagamit pud sila sa droga. (He started hitting me when he was hired as a CAFGU. During this time he also started drinking alcoholic beverage and I think as his work as a CAFGU they intercept people who use drugs and they use the drugs to). In a study conducted by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism stated that it was long before recognized the two-way association between alcohol consumption and violent and abusive behavior. Alcohol consumption was noted it promotes aggression and also victimization may promote excessive alcohol intake. They also cited studies of direct effect of alcohol. It was stated that alcohol encourages both aggression and violence by disrupting the brain motor function. Alcohol weakens the brain mechanisms that normally restrain impulse behaviors, including inappropriate aggression. Alcohol also impair information processing, alcohol can also lead a person to misjudge social clues, thereby overreacting to a perceived threat then simultaneously, a narrowing of attention may lead to an inaccurate assessment of future risks of acting on an immediate violent impulse this is according to the disinhibition hypothesis. Elvie and other respondents (5 out of 35 respondents) added that the spouse might come from a violent family. Evie says Ang iyahang papa in-ana man pud ug ugali, sumbagon pud niya iyanag mama (My father-in-law also punches my mother-in- law). Tania added kung mahubog akoang uganggan nga lalaki pasakitan pud niya ang ugangan anko nga babaye (When my father-in law is drunk he abuses his wife). Even children who only witness family violence may learn to imitate the role of the aggressor or the victim; this set the stage of violence to persist over generation (Pubs.niaaa.nih.gov, 2000). Three out of 35 respondents say that the wife may be to blame because the wife might be a nagger, the wife maybe seen seeing somebody or the wife just have an ugly behavior. They also added that children are also physically and verbally abused by their father because they dont listen and do things that they are asked to do. From these responses it can be deduced that the community practice victim blame, this practice will further create a tolerance for domestic violence (E. Garcia; Unreported cases of domestic violence against women: towards an epidemiology of social silence, tolerance, and inhibition, 2004).
Reporting of witnessed domestic violence in the community Out of the 35 respondents 10 answered that they will report, 11 will likely to report. 13 will not likely to report and 1 will not report. Those who answered those who will not and will not likely to report rationalized there answers that domestic problems must only concern those who are members of the family they considered it as private problem. They are also afraid that they will be accused as chismosa and they are also afraid that the abusive father may harm them as well if they interfere with the abused family. A CNN documentary stated that in 2003, Refuge (an organization that protect abused women) conducted a survey of 1000K UK households which found that 42 % of people had witnessed someone being verbally or physically abused by their partner in a social situation but they bothered not to report because they consider domestic violence as a private matter. Sandra Holer added that by failing to speak out against domestic violence , we condone and minimize it which give permission to men to continue their violence. Lastly she emphasized that domestic violence is not a private issue, it is a social issue as well as a political issue and a moral issue and above all it is a crime and we should help each other to end it (Goldsmith, T; 2014, What Causes Domestic Violence).
Chapter V
SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Summary During the conduct of problem prioritization for community diagnosis, the community members listed the knowledge about VAWC as their number 6 problem and added that there are several unreported cases of domestic violence in the barangay. For these reasons, the researchers, wanted to know the communitys, particularly the married women, knowledge on VAWC regarding marital rape, man destroying properties, verbal abuse, economic abuse, childrens right to education, physical abuse, who will be reprimanded by the VAWC act and lastly about marital infidelity. The community perceptions on whether they would report about domestic violence performed to them, their perception on why are there woman and children who are victims of domestic abuse and lastly, whether they will report any domestic violence they have witnessed. All married women are invited to participate in this study but only 35 married women participated the conduct of the study. Descriptive-quantitative study design was used. Interview schedule was utilized during house to house interview. Results of the study showed that 27 out of 35 respondents have a good knowledge regarding VAWC basing on an 8 item question. All of the respondents that marital rape, physical abuse, sole economic control and marital infidelity are examples of violence against women. Twenty-seven considered not sending their children to school as violence performed to children. Ten of the respondents considered destroying properties as violence against women, and only 6 among 35 respondents considered verbal abuse as a violation to womens rights. In this results it can be deduced that Purok 4 of Barangay is still with practicing some of the traditional beliefs that it is okay for men to destroy things and for them to verbally abusive for they believe that men should act aggressively, and there are 8 respondents who are okay with not sending children to school because of lack of financial support from the family income. Perceptions regarding VAWC, majority of the respondents responded that if they experience violence from their intimate partner they will not report mainly to save the unity of their family and for their children to enjoy the company with their father. The respondents commented that there are women and children because these man might be a drunkard or under the influence of drugs. Others say that the victims are to blame because they are hard-headed and they might engage in unacceptable practices or behavior. Lastly they are ask about whether they would report any known domestic violence in the community, majority of the respondents will not report such because these are considered private problems. Recommendations To the local leaders: Implement a policy on how, to whom and the process of reporting domestic violence. Schedule a lecture about VAWC and the womens rights by a CSSDO educator.
To the local health officer: Educate the BHW about the early signs of abuse in a family. Implement a program on VAWC how to diagnose it and how to manage or prevent it.
To the BHWs: Attend seminars about Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children to better educate the community members.
To the Community: Attend lectures about VAWC and do not treat domestic violence as a private matter.
To the Future researchers: Conduct a study to determine the concept of VAWC reporting in the community level. Conduct a study on the experiences and attitude of women who seek help for domestic violence. BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. Bristol Fawcette, 2008. Men, Women, Abuse and Violence Booklet 2. Womens Aid, www.womensaid.org.uk 3. www.irinnews.org/report 4. www.davaocity.gov) 5. Domesticviolencestatistics.org 6. Raposas, Marriage and Domestic Violence : A Fatal Combination in the Philippines, Where Divorce is Illegal www.alternet.org 7. NIAAA, October 2000, Understanding impact of alcohol on human health and well- being http://www.niaaa.nih.gov. 8. Republic Act 9262 The Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004, a Briefer 9. Global AIDS Alliance, August 2006, Zero Tolerance: Stop the Violence Against Women and Children, Stop HIV/AIDS www.globalaidsalliance.org 10. Treas J and Giesen D, Sexual infidelity among married and cohabiting Americans, Journal of Marriage and the Family, 2000, 62(1):48-60 11. Ysmael, January 2012. Lumen: a Case Study on Domestic Violence 12. . (Dr. Yarin Erluk, UN special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women, 2006) 13. (One Billion Rising Philippines, 2013). 14. (A Deeper Look at Violence against Women: The Philippine Case, 2000). 15. (www.newvoicecompany.com 16. Sunstar Davao last September 2013 17. 2008 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) 18. . (Rape Crisis England and Wales, 2014). 19. . (Yoshihama and Sorenson, 1994). 20. .(Hyden, 1995). 21. (E. Garcia, Unreported cases of domestic violence against women: towards an epidemiology of social silence, tolerance, and inhibition, 2004). 22. . (Alexander, 1993). 23. by Laisser et al, last 2011 24. What causes Domestic Violence, Toby Goldsmith, 2013 25. Republic Act 9262 Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children 2004, Briefer 26. the Society for Disabilities Study last 2007 27. . Department of Interior and Local Government, National Barangay Operations Office, 2004). 28. Patricia Evan's book The Verbally Abusive Relationship 29. The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence 30. (Pubs.niaaa.nih.gov, 2000). 31.
APPENDIX A
INTERVIEW SCHEDULE OUTLINE NATURE AND REASONS OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND THEIR CHILDREN OF BARANGAY CADALIAN BAGUIO DISTRICT Questionnaire
1. Hibalo ka ba sa balaud nga RA 9262 o ang Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act of 2004? (Are you aware about the Law RA 9262 otherwise known as the Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act of 2004?)
a. 00 b. wala 2.Asa man nimo nahibaw-an ang bahin sa balaud nga RA 9262? (Where did you learn about the RA 9262?) 5. Kinahanglan pa ba nimo nga makahibalo pa bahin sa VAWC? Oo Dili 6. Mu-attend ka ba kung nay ipahigayon nga lecture bahin sa VAWC? Oo Dili
7. Ang walay pagtugot nga pakigsekso is aba sa pag lapas sa VAWC?
Oo Dili 8. Ang panguba ug mga gamit sa balay isa pud bang klase sa pang abuso? Oo Dili 9. Ang makasakit nga panulti paglapas pud ba kini sa VAWC? Oo Dili 10. Ang inusara nga pagkontrol sa kwarta sa pamilya isa pud ba nga klase sa pang- abuso? Oo Dili 11. Ang dili pagsuporta sa mga bata sa pag-eskwela paglapas pud ba kini sa VAWC? Oo Dili 12. Ang pisikal nga pang abuso isa pud ba nga Klase sa pag lapas sa VAWC? Oo Dili 13. Mga bana lang ba ang pwde saad sa balaud nga VAWC? Oo Dili 14. Ang pangabit pwde ba nga isa kahinungdan sa paglapas sa balaod nga Anti- VAWC law? Oo Dili
PERCEPTION:
1. Kung ikaw naka sinati ug pang abuso gikan sa imohang bana, i-report ba nimo siya barangay?
OO____ PWDE NAKO ISUMBONG____ MURAG DILI NAKO ISUMBONG_____ DILI____
2. Kung dili nimo siya isumbong unsa imohang mga rason? _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ ________________________
3. Sa imohnag tan-aw nganong nay mga bata ug mga babaye nga nakasinati ug mga pang-abuso? _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ ________________________
4. KUNG NAA KAY NAHIBAWAN NGA IMOHANG SILINGAN NGA GINA-ABUSO ISUMBONG MO BA KINI SA OTORIDAD?
OO___ PWDE NGA ISUMBONG___ MURAG DILI NAKO ISUMBONG___ DILI___
5. KUNG DILI NIMO ISUMBONG SA MGA OTORIDAD UNSA IMOHANG HINUNGDAN? _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ ________________________
SALAMAT SA IMOHANG PANAHON
APPENDIX B PATIENT INFORMATION AND INFORMED CONSENT
Project Title: Stories of Eve: Womens Knowledge and Perception on VAWC in Barangay Cadalian, Baguio District Investigators: Cherie Anne V. Songcaya; Cherrie A. Tapia Purpose and Conduct of Study: This study aims to know the knowledge and perception of women about VAWC in Purok 4, Barangay Cadalian, Baguio District, Davao City. This study is limited to the knowledge and perception of the women in barangay Cadalian about VAWC. If you are a survivor of VAWC we would like to include your story in our research paper. This study will be conducted exclusively in Purok 4, Barangay Cadalian, Baguio District, Davao City. The duration of the study will be from March 24-26, 2014. Risk and Inconveniences: Since the data will be gathered through interview schedule at your own homes, there are no risks involved. You will not experience any physical discomfort. Possible Benefits for the Participants: You will become aware of the Anti-VAWC law. And the possible act that can be a ground for a lawsuit for VAWC. You will also know about your right as a woman in the family. Voluntariness of Participation: You are free of any coercion in participating. You may withdraw from the study anytime if you wish. Confidentiality Any information obtained from the interview schedule will be kept confidential. The data gathered will be kept safe in the records section of the Community Medicine office in Davao Medical School Foundation, Inc. Only the researchers will be able to handle these records.
CONSENT FORM I have read and understood the above information and had been given the opportunity to consider and ask questions on the information regarding the involvement in this study. I have received a copy of this Patient Information and Informed Consent Form. I will voluntarily agree to participate.
Patients Signature:
___________________ _____________________________ ___________________ PATIENTS NAME SIGNATURE DATE
Physicians Signature: I, the undersigned, certify that to the best of my knowledge, the patient signing this consent form has read the above information sheet fully, that this has been carefully explained to her, and that she clearly understands the nature, risks, and benefits.
_________________________ _______________________ _____________________ PHYSICIANS NAME SIGNITURE DATE