ANTI-VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND THEIR

CHILDREN
MARCH 19, 2013 ANDREA ALVIOLA

1. WHAT IS THE ANTI-VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND THEIR CHILDREN ACT OF 2004
OR REPUBLIC ACT 9262?
It is the law penalizing acts of violence against women and their children. These acts include
physical violence, sexual violence, psychological violence and economic abuse and committed by
a womans husband, live-in partner or dating partner.
2. WHAT IS VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND THEIR CHILDREN OR VAWC UNDER THE
LAW?
It refers to any act or a series of acts committed by any person against a woman who is his wife,
former wife, or against a woman with whom the person has or had a sexual or dating
relationship, or with whom he has a common child, or against her child whether legitimate or
illegitimate, within or outside the family residence, which results in or is likely to result in
physical, sexual, psychological harm or suffering, or economic abuse, including threats of such
acts, battery, assault, coercion, harassment or arbitrary deprivation of liberty.
A dating relationship is one which has a romantic involvement, that a relationship existed
between a woman and her partner who is or was abusive, whether or not the relationship was
formal, while a sexual relationship refers to a sexual act(s), which may or may not result to a
bearing of a child.
3. WHO IS PROTECTED UNDER THE LAW?
The law seeks to protect the woman and her children. Children refers to the children of the
abused woman, below 18 years old, legitimate or illegitimate, or those who are 18 years old and
above but are incapable of taking care of themselves, including children who are not her
biological children but are under her care.
4. WHAT ARE EXAMPLES OF ACTS THAT ARE PUNISHABLE?
Physical abuse includes acts which inflicts physical/bodily harm like battery. Economic abuse
includes not giving adequate financial support, controlling the conjugal money or the womans
own money. Psychological abuse includes marital infidelity, repeated verbal abuse, public
humiliation or stalking. Sexual violence includes causing to make the woman or her child to
perform sexual acts or prostituting the woman or her child.
5. WHAT CAN WOMEN AND CHILDREN WHO ARE VICTIMS DO?

The law allows women and their children to a secure barangay protection order (BPO) and/or
temporary or permanent protection order from the courts. They can also file for criminal action
for the violation of this Act.
6. WHAT IS A PROTECTION ORDER?
It seeks to protect the woman and her child from further abuse or violence. A Barangay
Protection Order can be obtained from the barangay issued by the Punong Barangay, or if
unavailable, by a kagawad. Another option is to apply for a Temporary Protection Order from the
Family Court in her place of residence, or if there is no Family Court, in the Regional Trial Court or
the Municipal Trial Court.
7. WHO CAN FILE A CASE?
Violence against women and children is a public offense under Philippine law, meaning, anyone
who has personal knowledge of the crime may file a case on the victims behalf. This includes
parents or guardians, grandparents, children and grandchildren, other relatives, local officials,
social workers, lawyers, counselors, health care providers and the police. (Mithi Villarmea,
Contributor