Raniai, Al Rashid C.

BSMLS – 1K
Personal Development

What is R.A. 9262?

As described by the Supreme Court, RA 9262 is a piece of “landmark

legislation”. It was enacted on March 8, 2004 and became effective on March 27 of
the same year. Its full title is “The Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children
Act of 2004”. R.A. 9262 is a special law that defines acts of violence against women
and their children, or “VAWC”; penalizes such acts; and provides protective
measures and remedies. Brought about by the undeniable need for a law to protect
women and children from domestic violence, and supported by the advocacy of
concerned women’s groups, Congress enacted the said law, with the aim of giving
women more than a fighting chance in seeking redress in a legal system that was
still replete with the patriarchal influence of the past (Concepcion & Cruz, 2014).

How does violence against women and children defined, based on the law?

Violence is broadly defined to include physical, sexual, psychological or

economic kind. Physical violence is covered, whether it is actual, attempted,
threatened or even just placing the woman in fear of the same. Sexual abuse is
covered, and it includes acts from rape to making demeaning and sexually
suggestive remarks. Psychological abuse could be any act or omission that causes
or likely to cause the mental or emotional suffering of the victim, while economic
abuse refers to acts that make or attempt to make a woman financially dependent.
All these are remedied and prevented by the issuance of protection orders and may
be issued by the court (Concepcion & Cruz, 2014).

Who can file a case under R.A. 9262?

Women who have suffered any act of violence in accordance to the law can
file a case under R.A. 9262. Witnesses of said acts can also file a case along with
the testimony and Medico Legal Certificate. A petition for protection order may be
filed by the offended party, parents or guardians of the offended party, ascendants,
descendants or collateral relatives, officers or social workers of the DSWD or social
workers of local government units, preferably police officers who are in charge of
women and children's desks, punong barangay or barangay kagawad, lawyer,
counselor, therapist or healthcare provider of the petitioner, and at least two
concerned responsible citizens of the city or municipality where the violence against
women and their children occurred and who has personal knowledge of the offense
committed.

How can you help children and women who suffers from violence?

Broad, cultural messages appear to make a difference—not just what young

children see and hear, from their families and neighbors but also from their role
models on television and in sports arenas, may have an impact. Among the ideal
targets for the interventions are the kids most at risk of becoming abusers later in
life—the ones who, while very young, are victims of or witnesses to abuse in their
homes. The earlier we can teach our children form what is right and from what is
wrong may help in lessening violence.

In addition, if you decide to reach out to an abuse victim, do so during a time

of calm. Getting involved when tempers are flaring can put you in danger. Also,
make sure to set aside plenty of time in case the victim decides to open up. If the
person decides to disclose years of pent-up fear and frustration, you will not want to
end the conversation because you have another commitment.Empowering women
may lessen the number of violence and teach them how to be economically
independent.