1

CHAPTER 1

The Problem and Its Setting

Introduction

Violence against women and children is a serious public health concern, with

costs at multiple levels of society. Although violence is a threat to everyone, women and

children are particularly susceptible to victimization because they often have fewer rights

or lack appropriate means of protection. In some societies certain types of violence are

deemed socially or legally acceptable, thereby contributing further to the risk to women

and children. In the past decade research has documented the growing magnitude of such

violence, but gaps in the data still remain. Victims of violence of any type fear

stigmatization or societal condemnation and thus often hesitate to report crimes. The

issue is compounded by the fact that for women and children the perpetrators are often

people they know and because some countries lack laws or regulations protecting

victims. Some of the data that have been collected suggest that rates of violence against

women range from 15 to 71 percent in some countries and that rates of violence against

children top 80 percent. These data demonstrate that violence poses a high burden on

global health and that violence against women and children is common and universal

(Patel, 2021).

With such an alarming increase in rate of violence against women and children,

the law itself has made progressive steps in aiding and ensuring the minimization of such

cases. Council of Europe Project (2020) created an initiative on Preventing and

Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence (Istanbul Convention) and

is the first legally binding European document establishing mandatory standards for
 2

preventing violence against women and domestic violence, protecting victims and

punishing perpetrators. The Istanbul Convention draws a distinct line connecting gender

equality and eradication of violence against women, which necessitates the achievement

of greater equality between women and men. Attorneys of the Philippines (2023) also

highlighted that in the Philippines, the government enacted Republic Act No. 9262, or the

Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act (VAWC Law), in 2004 to protect

women and children from all forms of violence. The VAWC Law is an important legal

framework that aims to ensure the safety and security of women and children in the

Philippines. And while the VAWC Law is a critical step in protecting women and

children from violence, its implementation faces several challenges. One challenge is the

lack of resources, including funding, staff, and infrastructure, to fully enforce the law.

Additionally, cultural norms and attitudes towards violence against women and children

can be deeply entrenched, making it challenging to change behavior and attitudes toward

victims. Addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive approach that involves

education, advocacy, and community engagement.

And thus, the creation of the PNP- Women and Children Protection Desk was put

into action. Section 57 of Republic Act No. 8551 (2023) mentioned that the PNP shall

establish women's desks in all police stations throughout the country to administer and

attend to cases involving crimes against chastity, sexual harassment, abuses committed

against women and children and other similar offenses: Provided, that municipalities and

cities presently without policewomen will have two (2) years upon the effectivity of this

Act within which to comply with the requirement of this provision.

 3

The establishment of Women and Children Protection Desk marked a significant

stride in ensuring that such cases would be aided and hopefully evaded. However, police

officers assigned to this desk have also faced problems despite wanting to help those

victims. Luna (2020) stated in his article that according to the PNP-WCPC, the

investigators of Women and Children Protection Desks faced "the suspended filing of

complaints for preliminary investigation, their limited and cautionary movements due to

the pandemic, their initial lack of knowledge on online filing of temporary remedies

before the courts, and even shortage of logistics because of the closure of establishments

and unavailability public transport."

In the selected municipalities of Western Samar and Samar, the researcher has

then observed of how the PNP- Women and Children Protection desk officers are met

with challenges in being able to provide assistance to the victims. Prompting the

researchers to further investigate this narrative and have valid grounds for their own

future careers. And this study would then be conducted to be able to determine the

problems encountered by PNP- Women and Children Protection Desk Officers in

handling domestic violence cases in the selected municipalities of Western Samar and

Samar with the end view of proposing an intervention program in order to alleviate the

identified problems in handling domestic violence cases in the locale of the study.

Theoretical framework

This study is primarily anchored on the second Fundamental Theories of Police

Service also known as The Home Rule Theory. And the theory coming from Maslow’s
 4

heirarchy of needs named, The Motivating Manager Theory. Both theories to which the

researchers have identified as being substantial to the study on the premise that the PNP-

Women and Children Protection Desk is created for the service and how in turn such

service causes problems for the desk officers.

The first theory is the Home Rule Theory. Which states that policemen are

considered as servants of the community who defend for the effectiveness of their

function upon the express wishes of the people. The effectiveness of the police in

performing their functions is dependent upon the express wishes of the people. This

theory supports that policeman are civil employees whose primary duty is to preserve the

public peace and security. This is commonly practiced in countries having decentralized

governmental structures such as in England, the United States, and other democratic

countries like the Philippines. (Mana Operations, 2019). The theory being based on how

the police must be of service to its people inclines the understanding as to why PNP-

Women and Children Protection Desk was formed. And how this correlates with the

study is on the basis of how such service cause problems to police officers.

The second theory utilized by the researchers is the Motivating Manager Theory

which is based on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. US Department of Justice (2019) stated

that Maslow's progressive order of needs consists of basic survival, safety,

belongingness, ego status, and self-actualization. Police managers should take these

needs into account as they supervise personnel. Regarding basic survival needs, the

police supervisor acts to ensure that officer salaries are sufficient to meet basic creature-

comfort needs and that the working environment also meets these needs. Management

action to meet officer safety needs involves training in personal safety, the provision of
 5

effective safety equipment, and the development of departmental policies designed to

ensure officer safety and the provision of departmental support for officers in trouble.

Police managers can help cultivate a sense of belongingness in officers by ensuring

access to psychology services, the provision of peer group gatherings, action to deter the

formation of officer cliques, and the inclusion of family members in training.

Management support for ego status requires that officers have the opportunity to display

competence and to gain social and professional rewards. Self-actualization is up to each

officer as he/she becomes self-motivated in setting goals for job achievement and career

advancement. A manager can facilitate self-actualization by providing officers

opportunities to build upon their strengths and pursue their goals.

The significance of the second theory to the present study relies on the fact that

police officers are human being having basic needs same with the victims they are trying

to help. In understanding this complex relationship, we could better understand how the

problems faced by the PNP- Women and Children Protection Desk Officers can be

redirected or perhaps be solved in the same way they are solving the problems of their

complainants.

Three significant models were also patterned with the current study. James Q.

Wilson styles of policing. These are watchman style, legalistic style, and service style

(Fuller, 2023). A policing style is a collection of the police department's methods,

routines, and processes. The department's policing style serves as a reflection of the

department's culture and affects all aspects of police work in that community. Wilson

found that policing style is heavily linked to a community's characteristics. In other

 6

words, the socio-economic make-up of a community, the size of the community, and the

community's government organization influence the methods adopted by police.

The watchman style is focused on resolving disputes, but not focused on

proactively preventing disputes. The main goal of this style is to keep the peace. Usually

found in communities with a declining industrial base, and a blue-collar, mixed ethnic

population. An example of this style is the police pacifying the fight between neighbors.

While the legalistic style emphasizes their role as law enforcers and prides themselves on

professionalism. It's sometimes compared to a 'paramilitary' style. And service style

emphasizes the service functions of police work, usually found in suburban, middle-class

communities where residents demand individual treatment. For example, police directing

and controlling the traffic, patrol operations

The three cited models of policing style were correlated by the researchers to their

study as these three are currently present in how the PNP- Women and Children

Protection Desk Officers are handling their complainants needs and victims wishes.

Keeping the peace while being professional and delivering service to the people. And

how these three styles present the problems encountered by the PNP- Women and

Children Protection Desk Officers in handling domestic violence cases in the selected

municipalities of Western Samar and Samar.

Conceptual Framework

Figure 1 presents the conceptual paradigm of the study on the problems

encountered by PNP- Women and Children Protection Desk Officers in handling

 7

domestic violence cases in the selected municipalities of Western Samar and Samar. As

shown in the diagram, the study will adopt the input-process-output (IPO) research

model, which are represented by three boxes.

The first box serves as the input of the study. It contains the profile of the

respondents in terms type of age, civil status, rank and number of relevant

trainings/seminars attended.

The second box is focused on problems encountered by the respondents in

handling domestic violence cases . As output of the study, the researcher will propose

an intervention program in order to alleviate the identified problems in handling domestic

violence cases in the locale of the study based on the findings. The arrows connecting the

boxes indicate the sequential flow of the research variables.

 8

Figure I. The Paradigm of the Study

Proposed Intervention Program in

Profile of Respondents:
Problems Encountered by the Order to Alleviate the Identified

 age; Respondents in Handling Domestic Problems in Handling Domestic

 civil status;
 rank; and Violence Cases Violence Cases in the Locale of the
 number of relevant
trainings/seminars attended Study.
 9

Statement of the Problem

The study aims to determine the problems encountered by PNP- Women and

Children Protection Desk Officers in handling domestic violence cases in the selected

municipalities of Western Samar and Samar with the end view of proposing an

intervention program in order to alleviate the identified problems in handling domestic

violence cases in the locale of the study.

Specifically, it seeks to answer the following questions:

1. What is the profile of the respondents in terms of the following:

1.1 age;

1.2 civil status;

1.3 rank; and

1.4 number of relevant trainings/seminars attended?

2. What are the problems encountered in handling domestic violence cases?

3. Is there a significant relationship between the profile of the respondents and

the problems encountered by PNP-WCPD of selected municipality stations of

Western Samar and Samar?

4. What are the significant differences of the selected municipality stations on

the problems encountered by the respondents in handling domestic violence

cases?

5. Based on the results of the study, what intervention programs can be proposed

in order to alleviate the identified problems in handling domestic violence

cases in the locale of the study?

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Null hypotheses

The null hypotheses below were advanced to guide the researchers in the analysis

of the problem:

Ho1 There is no significant relationship between the profile of the respondents and

the problems encountered by PNP-WCPD of selected municipality stations of Western

Samar and Samar.

Ho2 There is no are the significant differences of the selected municipality stations

on the problems encountered by the respondents in handling domestic violence cases.

Significance of the study

Violence against human rights has always been fought out to ensure safety and

peace. This is truer for women and children, who are the frequent victims of violence and

their only confidante are the police officers tasked in helping them. Hence, the results of

this study are expected to benefit the following;

PNP- Women and Children Protection Desk Officers. Being the frontliners of

this help desk, the results of the study would benefit them as their problems would be

then identified and be given a solution that can lessen the burden of their responsibility.

And if ever that this happens, this would make their effectivity and efficiency being part

of PNP- Women and Children Protection Desk more productive and meaningful.
 11

Women and Children. Since the PNP- Women and Children Protection Desk

was created in order to protect them, the results of this study would be of value to them as

they would also be aware of how they can better approach the desk and be given the

expected service. Moreso, they can also be sure that the police officers aiding them would

be in the best position and have their best interest at all times.

Community Members. The PNP- Women and Children Protection Desk also

concerns the community as the peace and order of their area is kept by such department

and thus giving them the benefit of having an ensured mentality of being safe. Which the

results of the study would just further increase and be basis also of how they could handle

better their own complaints within the barangay.

Researchers. The outcome of this study can be used as a valid reference for other

research works in line with PNP- Women and Children Protection Desk. To the

researchers who are majoring in criminology, the outcome of this study will be of use to

them as it will expand their understanding of how their role is important in aiding women

and children who are abused and violated and how they can better navigate their

problems faced in the near future.

Scope and Limitations of the Study

This study is focused on the problems encountered by PNP- Women and Children

Protection Desk Officers in handling domestic violence cases in the selected

municipalities of Western Samar and Samar. Specifically, it will answer questions on the

profile of the respondents in terms of age, civil status, rank and number of relevant
 12

trainings/seminars attended; and, problems encountered by the respondents in handling

domestic violence cases.

The respondents of the study are limited to the PNP- Women and Children

Protection Desk officers in the selected municipalities of Western Samar and Samar.

Likewise, it will make use of questionnaires as data gathering instruments. This study

will be conducted in selected municipalities of Western Samar and Samar during the

School Year 2023-2024.

Definition of Terms

For clarity and better understanding of the study, the following terms are defined

conceptually and operationally:

PNP- Women and Children Protection Desk Officers. These are police officers

who assist VAW victims in securing Barangay Protection Order (BPO) and accessing

necessary services. Respond to gender-based violence cases brought to the barangay

(Philippine Commission on Women, 2021). For the purpose of this study, this refers to

the police officers who are assigned at the women and children protection desk and

whose problems encountered are identified.

Intervention Program in Order to Alleviate the Identified Problems in

Handling Domestic Violence Cases. This is a program with the purposive and organized

effort to intervene in an ongoing social process for the purpose of solving a problem or

providing a service which in this case is for PNP- Women and Children Protection Desk
 13

(Science Direct, 2020). This output will be focused on enhancing the current conditions

of PNP- Women and Children Protection Desk in handling domestic violence cases in the

selected municipalities of Western Samar and Samar. And at the same time provide an

overview of how to properly handle problems and potential risks that could happen.
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CHAPTER 2

Related Literature and Studies

This chapter presents some articles and research investigations that are considered

relevant to the present study. These are lifted from various published and unpublished

materials and from the Internet.

Related literature

Violence against women and children is a serious public health concern, with

costs at multiple levels of society. Although violence is a threat to everyone, women and

children are particularly susceptible to victimization because they often have fewer rights

or lack appropriate means of protection. In some societies certain types of violence are

deemed socially or legally acceptable, thereby contributing further to the risk to women

and children (National Academic Press, 2021). Violence against women is always also

violence against their children, even if these are not directly attacked. Just witnessing the

violence, for example, can be enough to lead to sleep disturbances, developmental

disorders, aggressiveness or anxiety. Furthermore, another very serious aspect that needs

considering is the passing down of both violent behavior and trauma to subsequent

generations. Children who experience or witness violence and its consequences learn to

accept this violence as a way to solve conflicts (Medica Mondiale, 2020).

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Effective solutions to end violence against children will require researchers,

practitioners, and leaders to come together to take stock of what we know, bridge gaps

across the field, and influence change through the use and generation of VAC evidence.

To this end, UNICEF Innocenti is holding a series of events for the 2021 Solutions

Summit Series Together to #ENDviolence. The second event in this series aims to share

evidence and foster discussion on intersections between violence against women and

violence against children, highlighting synergies opportunities for

greater collaboration and opportunities for moving towards implementation to

build knowledge and translate it into policy and programs (UNICEF, 2022). Recognizing

the need for greater collaboration in this area, UNICEF East Asia and Pacific Regional

Office (EAPRO), UNFPA Asia Pacific Regional Office (APRO), and UN WOMEN

Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (ROAP) partnered on a regional, multi-country

initiative in Cambodia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines and Viet Nam to explore

opportunities and challenges for better coordination, integration and collaboration for

VAW and VAC policies, action plans, programs and services, focusing on violence that

occurs within spaces and relationships of trust (e.g., intimate or dating relationships,

family violence, school violence) (UNICEF, 2023).

Globally, law enforcement officers are the first actors who a victim of domestic

violence is likely to encounter. Law enforcement is a well-known and highly visible

community authority, provides free services, and is generally one of the few systems

actors who can provide rapid 24-hour daily assistance. As first responders, they play an

important role in protecting victim safety and enhancing offender accountability.

Although law enforcement may be unable or unwilling to rapidly address all incidents of
 16

domestic and intimate partner violence at any hour in all locations, its visibility and

authority continue to increase the likelihood that a person experiencing domestic violence

will come into contact with law enforcement officers. Thus, law enforcement plays a

crucial role in addressing and decreasing incidences of domestic and intimate partner

violence. Moreover, law enforcement officers act as criminal justice gatekeepers; thus,

“problems arise when allegations are made that police do not take domestic violence

seriously, consider it a family problem and, therefore, inappropriate for police action”

(The Advocates for Human Rights, 2018). For the PNP as a whole, the benchmark of

performance in its response to VAW is its full compliance with the provisions of the law

and other international standards to which the Philippines is committed. Since the

provisions of the law and international standards are crafted in a general sense, there is

need to cite specific situations by which the same may be concretized or understood in

practical terms. Some best practices of local communities as well as of foreign countries

in addressing violence against women were thus utilized as reference in setting the

performance standards (Philippine National Police, 2018).

The Inter-Agency Council on Violence Against Women and their

Children (IACVAWC) was established by virtue of Republic Act (RA) 9262 to ensure

effective implementation of the law and be the lead coordinator and monitoring body on

VAWC initiatives. The Council is composed of 12 member agencies: CSC, CHR, DepEd,

DOH, DILG, DOJ, DOLE, DSWD, PCW, CWC, PNP and NBI. These agencies are

tasked to formulate programs and projects to eliminate VAWC based on their mandates,

as well as develop capacity building programs for their employees to become more

gender sensitive to the needs of their clients (Philippine Commission on Women, 2023).
 17

The police generally get involved in domestic disputes or legal actions when they receive

a complaint relating to a violation of the VAWC Act, when they encounter an ongoing

act of domestic violence in flagrante delicto (caught in the act) and when they enforce a

warrant of arrest issued by a court relating to a legal action arising out of a domestic

dispute. Police involvement does not generally affect law firm involvement. The law firm

can assist in preparing and filing a complaint before law enforcement agencies and in

coordinating with the police when effecting a warrant of arrest (McKenzie, 2023).

According to Cultura et al. (2017), one of the challenges faced by Women and

Children Protection Desk (WCPD) investigators in dealing with Violence Against

Women and their Children (VAWC) cases is the reluctance of victims to reveal the true

facts. As a result, police officers may be unable to immediately capture the offender and

turn over the case for due process, as they need to have full details and the true identity of

the batterer before proceeding. Moreover, previous studies have examined various

aspects of police response to Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) situations, including how

police define their role, how they assess the scenario, how perceptions of IPV affect

arrest decisions, and how the severity of violence affects police involvement (Gill et al.,

2021). Other research has explored the development of police attitudes towards IPV over

time, as well as the relationship between police officer gender and those attitudes. In

addition, the way that police respond to domestic abuse is becoming more "risk-led," yet

there are inherent and perhaps impossible to overcome difficulties with this strategy.

There are differences in risk assessment methods used by different police agencies,

inconsistent risk-based practices, and uneven training and expertise. It can be more

helpful to comprehend police responses to domestic abuse if one is aware of the

 18

significance given to particular risk factors by relevant practitioners and how they

determine risk (Robinson, 2018).

The literature reviewed in this chapter were all relevant to the problems

encountered by PNP- Women and Children Protection Desk Officers in handling

domestic violence cases and the study variables the researcher used. The discussions had

given the researcher basic inputs which she used in the conceptualization of her own

research work.

Related Studies

A number of studies has been conducted in line with investigating problems

encountered by PNP- Women and Children Protection Desk Officers in handling

domestic violence cases. One study was conducted by Cultura, et.al. (2018), determined

the problems encountered by PNP Women and Children’s Protection Desk (WCPD)

officers in dealing with cases of violence against women. Specifically, this intends to

present the common cases of violence committed against women in the cities of Batangas

Province; to determine the problems encountered by PNP WCPD; to test the significant

differences on the problems encountered by WCPD when grouped according to three

cities; and to propose action plan to alleviate the identified problems in handling cases of

Violence Against Women and Children. This study used the descriptive method of

research in gathering data in order to describe and find out the problems encountered by

the PNP Women’s desk officer in responding to the cases of violence against women.

The descriptive research is fact finding with adequate interpretation and deals with
 19

questions based on ongoing, recent or current phenomenon as its name says describing

what exists. The researchers utilized 100% of the total population of the PNP women’s

desk officers in Batangas Province (Batangas, Lipa and Tanauan). They are the ones who

are knowledgeable enough to answer the problems posed in the present study. The

respondents are 30 years old and above from different Cities of Batangas such as

Tanauan, Lipa, and Batangas and most of them are married. The failure of the victims to

reveal the true facts is the number one problem encountered by WCPD investigators.

There is no significant difference on the problems encountered by the respondents when

grouped according to their profile. The three cities in Batangas may continue organizing,

researching and finding ways to alleviate the problems encountered by PNP WCPD in

handling cases of violence against women.

The aforementioned research is closely related to the present study for they both

dealt with the problems encountered by PNP- Women and Children Protection Desk

Officers in handling domestic violence cases. While both studies are in the same industry

of specialized studies, they differed in their scope and area coverage as well as the

sampling technique used.

While De Leon Alan, et.al. (2023) conducted to know the challenges encountered

by police officers in dealing with perpetrators of domestic violence. This study made use

of qualitative descriptive design. The study involved ten police officers, each

representing the Women and Children Protection Desk (WCPD) of the ten police stations

in Baguio City. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the ten police officers

and thematic analysis was utilized to analyze the data gathered. Findings revealed that the

common challenges encountered are: difficulty in communicating with intoxicated

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perpetrators of domestic violence, boastful perpetrators of domestic violence and

different persona in front of police officers than in private.

The emphasis placed by the cited research and the present study on the problems

encountered by PNP- Women and Children Protection Desk Officers in handling

domestic violence cases made them closely related. They, however, differed in their

research variables and in the time and place of their study.

Another study was undertaken by Naganag (2022) where he focused on the

Women and Children Desk Tanudan, Kalinga. The research design use was the

descriptive design with interview as the main data gathering instrument. The informant

were twenty-one victim-survivors whose whereabouts were known. The research found

that the PNP Women and Children Desk is implemented as experienced by the victim-

survivors. They have received the expected mandatory services, other services provided

by the government agency concern and the entitlements. Physical violence is the most

frequent crime committed. There were reported incidence of psychological violence such

as repeated verbal abuse, harassment and marital infidelity of the husband. There was no

reported incidence of sexual abuse and child abuse. Wife battering dominates the other

abuses committed in domestic home. There are psychologically abused women but there

were no reports on sexually abused women and child abuse. The important and necessary

services and supports to the victim-survivors are provided but not substantial to meet all

the needs of the victim. There is no obvious show of convergence among the government

concern agencies in response to women abuse. The findings justify the recommendation

as follows: More trainings of the PNP Women and Children Desk personnel should be

instituted and institutionalized. More Local Government Units involvement should be

 21

initiated. A PNP Personnel should be assigned exclusively for the Desk so that the task

will be concentrated to manning or managing the Desk. Forge and strengthen the

convergence of the government agencies concerned to hasten reporting, communication

and delivery of the benefits and privileges of the victims including their immediate and

important needs. Finally, institutionalized a massive information-education campaign on

the laws concerning the protection of women and their children against abusive and

violent partners or parents.

The foregoing research is relevant to the present study as they both focused on the

problems encountered by PNP- Women and Children Protection Desk Officers in

handling domestic violence cases. However, the cited research was more on the

assessment of experienced by the victim-survivors. The present study, on the other hand,

determine the problems encountered by PNP- Women and Children Protection Desk

Officers. They differed in the component of the specific group of respondents which they

evaluated.

As for Hadap (2019) the use of descriptive method, the study aimed to assess the

level of implementation of the Republic Act 9262 Anti-Violence against Women and

Children Act in the barangays of the City of Malabon from 2004-2010. The study

involved victim-survivors, the City Social Welfare and Development officers, and social

workers, police-women at the Women and Children Protection Desk, and Barangay

officials. The findings of this study show that RA 9262 was implemented. Nevertheless,

victim-survivors, find the law partially implemented. Problems on the insufficient budget,

facilities, trainings, cooperation from the complainants, and inconsistencies in the

implementation of other related laws were also identified. The respondents recommended
 22

the: (1) awareness activities for the barangay officials and the public as well; (2)

consistent budget allocation; and (5) creation of gender sensitive jurisdiction.

The previous research had some points of similarity to the present study

especially on the aspect of the Republic Act 9262 Anti-Violence against Women and

Children Act. But while the cited research was centered on assessing the level of

implementation of the Republic Act 9262 Anti-Violence against Women and Children

Act in the barangays of the City of Malabon from 2004-2010, the present study deals

with determining the problems encountered by PNP- Women and Children Protection

Desk Officers in handling domestic violence cases in the selected municipalities of

Western Samar and Samar.

And Espineli and Lontoc (2020) mainly assessed the responses of WCPD officers

on cases of violence against women. Further, the problems encountered during their

responses were also highlighted. Survey questionnaire and interview were used to gather

data from twenty-three WCPD officers and five abused women from each city and

municipality in Cavite. Findings revealed that RA 9262 (Anti-Violence against Women

and Children) is the most common violation committed against women. Also, majority of

the perception of the WCPD officers and abused women on the responses of the WCPD

officers on cases of VAW are similar. During initial response, in terms of receiving

complaint, officers basically ask the full name and address of the caller/abused women to

establish their identity. In contrast, they cannot respond at the scene within 5 minutes due

to unavailability of marked vehicle. In terms of after call/complaint, WCPD officers

immediately call the attention of their co-officers to assist them. However, they do not

often coordinate with the involved barangay. In the arrival at the scene, in case the
 23

abused woman was injured, officers advise her to undergo medicolegal examination,

likewise, inquire on the nature of dispute for comprehensive investigation. However, they

seldom execute arrest, because sometimes, perpetrator already escaped or the dispute is

already settled. Further, in the conduct of interview, asking question at a time and free

narrative were the strategies of officers to give abused women the time to answer each

question. In contrast, WCPD officers seldom use gadgets that would facilitate the

interview because of its unavailability. On the other hand, in filing the complaint, it

indicated contradicting perceptions. For WCPD officers, they acquire copies of marriage

contract and birth certificate since most of the cases involved marital violence while for

abused women, they highly perceived that medical records is the most requested

document. The problems encountered by WCPD officers in responding to VAW cases

are: uncooperativeness of the caller/complainant, unavailability of facilities and WCPD

officer inadequacy of knowledge on laws result to slow police service.

The resemblance of the two studies was their emphasis on the problems

encountered by police officers in handling domestic violence cases. The cited research

examined the responses of WCPD officers on cases of violence against women. The

present study deals with determining the problems encountered by PNP- Women and

Children Protection Desk Officers in handling domestic violence cases. They differed in

their general objective and research variables.

Montilla, et.al. (2021) conducted a systematic review sought to identify the

components of police attitudes toward intervention in IPVAW and their determinants. A

search was conducted through several databases (e.g., Web of Science). Papers were

included if they (a) provided original empirical findings or were review studies, (b) were
 24

published between 1990 and 2019, (c) were written in Spanish or English, (d) alluded to

police officers, and (e) focused on police attitudes toward intervention in IPVAW or their

determinants. Fifty-seven papers were included. The studied components of police

attitudes toward intervention in IPVAW extracted from the literature were tolerance of

IPVAW, minimal police involvement, unsupportive and supportive attitudes toward the

legal system and legislation against IPVAW, understanding of the complex nature of

abuse, and IPVAW intervention as an important police task. Moreover, the central role of

individual and situational determinants in police attitudes toward intervention in IPVAW

was confirmed, whereas organizational and societal determinants were studied scarcely.

This review proposes a framework upon which to build operational definition of police

attitudes toward intervention in IPVAW and includes remarks on police backgrounds and

the situational characteristics of IPVAW events that are essential in shaping police

procedures for managing them. Empirical evidence should be transferred to police

training and standard operating procedures.

The research work of Montilla, et.al. is related to the present study as they both

looked into the involvement of police in aiding victims of women and children abuse.

The cited research, however, was concerned with the components of police attitudes

toward intervention in IPVAW and their determinants. Whereas, the present study

determines the problems encountered by PNP- Women and Children Protection Desk

Officers in handling domestic violence cases. They differed in their respective topic

coverage.

Napitupulu (2021) conducted initial examination to analyze and understand the

effect of policy implementation, HR competence, and community empowerment on the

 25

performance of the Medan City P3APD office either partially or jointly. This research

focuses on the variables of Policy Implementation, HR Competence, Community

Empowerment and Performance. This research method is a quantitative approach

method, data collection techniques using documentation techniques, questionnaires, and

literature study. This research data collection tool is a questionnaire based on the Likert

scale, observation, interviews. The data analysis technique in this research is validity test,

F test and t test. The sampling technique in this study was proportionate stratified random

sampling. The results of this study prove that Policy Implementation has an effect of

83.6%, HR Competence has an effect of 99.9%, Community Participation has an effect of

91.3%, Policy Implementation, HR Competence and Community Empowerment together

have an effect of 99.9%. on the Performance of the Office of Women's Empowerment,

Child Protection and Community Empowerment (P3PAD) Medan City. As a

recommendation for the results of this study, namely: (1) carry out monitoring and

evaluation of local regulations related to DP3APM agencies so that it describes the

financing of work programs supported by the e-budgeting system, e-money for

community empowerment in Medan City, etc., (2) increasing cooperation between multi

stakeholders in the city Medan in increasing the competence of human resources through

increasing knowledge based on science and technology and IMTAQ, (3) The regional

government is expected to involve stakeholders in the health sector in order to increase

the effectiveness of the community empowerment program in Medan City through

socialization efforts, ToT, training and workshops so that occupational health and safety

are in empowerment programs. Medan city community is more secure.

 26

The present study is related to the research work of He for they both made use of

performance of police officers in respective fields of concern. However, the cited

research investigated initial examination to analyze and understand the effect of policy

implementation, HR competence, and community empowerment on the performance of

the Medan City P3APD office either partially or jointly. This study, on the other hand,

determine the problems encountered by PNP- Women and Children Protection Desk

Officers in handling domestic violence cases. The two studies differed in their main

objective as well as instrumentation used.

Mlay (2020) investigated to what extent the Tanzania Police Force is on track in

the implementation of National Plan of Action to end violence Against Women and

Children (NPA-VAWC). This study was conducted by using descriptive research design

to draw insight about the theme and deployed qualitative approaches in data collection

and analysis. Data collection was through interviews for primary data, while

documentary reviews was undertaken to get insights from relevant reports, journal

articles and authentic publications to supplement on primary information. The study

established that though 73% of respondents had no idea of National Action Plan in

addressing Violence against women and children (NPA-VAWC), still they are aware of

strategies deployed by TPF in addressing VAWC, so TPF is on track in implementing

NPA-VAWC. The study identified and documented critical challenges facing the

implementation of NPA-VAWC as the backlog of cases, budget constrain, medical

registration number in PF3, poor recording and inaccurate information, inadequate and

delayed responses. The study recommends among others it should establish develop and

enhance education programs on VAWC issues, providing financial assistance to PGCD,

 27

improving resources and infrastructure used by VAWC implementers and concludes that

study findings revealed that TPF is on track in implementing NPA-VAWC regardless of

some challenges as were depicted in the study.

The researcher just cited bears semblance to the present study particularly in the

use of Violence Against Women and Children in their respective studies. The previous

research, however, investigated the extent the Tanzania Police Force is on track in the

implementation of National Plan of Action to end violence Against Women and Children

(NPA-VAWC). The present study determines the problems encountered by PNP- Women

and Children Protection Desk Officers in handling domestic violence cases.

The cited studies were able to inform the researchers on what has been studied in

relation to the area of research problem they are trying to study. They were able to know

that it is proven that a significant number of problems are faced by PNP- Women and

Children Protection Desk Officers and has a significant effect on them. Thus, this study is

inclined on identifying the problems encountered by PNP- Women and Children

Protection Desk Officers in handling domestic violence cases in the selected

municipalities of Western Samar and Samar.

 28

CHAPTER 3

METHODOLOGY

This chapter presents the methods and procedures to be used in the conduct of the

study. It includes the research design, locale and time of the study, respondents of the

study and sampling technique, instrumentation, validation of the instruments, data

gathering procedures, and statistical treatment of data.

Research Design

The descriptive- assessment method of research will be used in the study on the

problems encountered by PNP- Women and Children Protection Desk Officers in

handling domestic violence cases in the selected municipalities of Western Samar and

Samar. As mentioned by Question Pro (2021), this research design is utilized to ascertain

the prevailing conditions of a group of people, things or situations and to evaluate the

perception of a group of respondents towards a particular topic or issue. In this study, the

profile of the respondents will be determined in terms of age, civil status, rank and

number of relevant trainings/seminars attended. The study will also assess the perception
 29

of the respondents themselves on the problems they encountered in handling domestic

violence cases.

Questionnaires will be used as the main instruments in collecting the needed data

for the study. Appropriate statistical measures will be employed in the analysis of the

gathered data.

Locale and Time of the Study

This study will be conducted in selected municipalities of Western Samar and

Samar during the School Year 2023-2024. The selection of the respondents will be made

in such a way that the selected police stations will be equally represented.

Figure 2 shows the map of Western Samar and Samar illustrating the location

sites of the study.

 30

Figure 2. Location Sites of the Study

Respondents of the Study

The respondents of the study will consist of police officers who are assigned to

the Women and Children Protection Desk. They are chosen as respondents based on their

familiarity and involvement in handling domestic violence cases in Western Samar and

Samar. Table 1 presents the frequency and percentage distribution of the respondents of

the study

Table 1
Frequency and Percentage of the
Respondents of the Study

Respondents f %

San Jorge 2 10.55

Sta. Margarita 4 21.00

Gandara 2 10.55

Pagsanghan 3 15.80

Matuguinao 2 10.55

Tarangan 2 10.55

Calbayog 4 21.00
 31

TOTAL 19 100

As shown in the table, the respondents of the study consisted of 2 (10.55%) police

officers in San Jorge, 4 (21,00%) police officers in Sta., Margarita, 2 (10.55%) police

officers in Gandara, 2 (15.80%) police officers in Pagsanghan, 2 (10.55%) police officers

in Matuguinao, 2 (10.55%) police officers in Tarangan and 4 (21,00%) police officers in

Calbayog. The total number of respondents was one nineteen (9) who represents the

seven municipalities of Western Samar and Samar and were made to answer the survey

questionnaires.

Sampling Procedure

The purposive sampling procedure will be used for the police officers of the

identified municipalities. This is line with the multi-stage sampling procedure the

researcher utilized as the collection of data will be by process and based on the

availability of the chosen respondents.

Instrumentation

A researcher-made questionnaire will be used as the main data gathering

instrument for the study. The questionnaires has two major parts. Part I contains the

profile of the respondents in terms of age, civil status, rank and number of relevant

trainings/seminars attended.
 32

Part II is focused on the checklist about the perception of the respondents

themselves on the problems they encountered in handling domestic violence cases. In

which the respondents can rate based on their encounter with the cited problem. Each part

of the questionnaire has their corresponding direction/instruction that will guide the

respondents in answering them.

Validation of the Instrument

The prepared questionnaire will be subjected to expert validation. This is the done

by showing the instrument to the research adviser and the panelist for correction and

revision, if necessary. After incorporating their suggestions, the corrected questionnaire is

submitted for approval. One approved, the researchers can then proceed with the actual

data collection.

Data Gathering Procedure

Before the start of the study, the researchers will first ask permission from the

dean of the College of Criminology to allow them to conduct their study. They will also

procure a list of police officers working at the Women and Children Protection Desk in

the selected municipalities of Western Samar and Samar. This will from as basis in the

selection of the respondents.

The questionnaires are then distributed to the selected respondents. These are

retrieved after a week to give the respondents sufficient time to fill them up. Data
 33

gathered from the accomplished questionnaires will be tallied and submitted to the

statistician for analysis.

Statistical Treatment

The following statistical tools will be employed in the analysis of data:

Frequency counts (f) and percentage (%) will be to determine profile of the

respondents in terms of selected demographic variables. Frequency counts (f) and ranking

will be utilized to identify problems the respondents have encountered in handling

domestic violence cases. The t-test for uncorrelated means will be employed to find out

the significant differences of the selected municipality stations on the problems

encountered by the respondents in handling Domestic Violence Cases. The Chi-Square (

2
x ¿ test was used to determine the relationship between the profile of the respondents and

the problems encountered by PNP-WCPD of selected municipality stations of Western

Samar and Samar.

 34

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