INVESTIGATION OF DOMESTIC

VIOLENCE IN LOCAL SETTING

(IMPLICATIONS TO WOMAN AND CHILDREN WELFARE)

SCOPE OF PRESENTATION
I.

INTRODUCTION
. Background of the Study
. Statement of the Problem
. Scope and Limitations of the Study
. Significance of the Study
. Definition of Terms

II. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

SCOPE OF PRESENTATION
III. PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA
Investigation of Complaints and Reports involving all forms of Violence
against women and their Children
Investigation of Complaints and Reports involving other forms of Child Abuse
Statistics on violence against Filipino women and the Philippine laws
formulated
Common reasons of unreported cases and unpursued cases of violence
against women
The Perpetrators common motive
Its Implications to Woman and Children Welfare
IV. SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Violence against Women (VAW) is perhaps the most shameful human rights
violation. It knows no boundaries of geography, culture or wealth. As long as it
continues, we cannot claim to be making real progress towards equality, development
and peace. (Kofi Annan, 2000)
VAW appears as one of the countrys universal social problems. According to the
2008 National Demographic and Health Survey conducted by the National Statistics
Office, one in five Filipino women age 15-49 has experienced physical violence since
age 15. It is indeed alarming that despite efforts to address the concern, Violence
against women persists.
In order to end the sufferings of battered woman in our country and hear the agony
of abused women, Violence against Women and Children Act (VAWC) was introduced
in 2004. In addition to physical abuse, it covered verbal, psychological and economic
abuse. It also identified perpetrators as anyone with whom a woman had an intimate
relationship, not just a spouse. More importantly, it made physical abuse a criminal
act punishable by law, and empowered abused women to break their silence.

STATEMENT OF THE
PROBLEM
This research specifically seeks to answer the following questions:
1. What is domestic violence?
2. What is violence against women and their children?
3. How is the investigation conducted in Philippine setting?
4. What are the perpetrators motive?
5. What is the impact of these violence to woman and children?

SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF THE

STUDY
The discussion will be limited only in Investigation of
Domestic Violence in Local Setting (Its Implications to
Woman and Children Welfare).
This report work is an informative research taking
readers to know different types of violence against woman
and children and how our government does hears these
cases legally in Philippine setting.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This research was conducted to give the students
information regarding Domestic Violence in Local Setting
and its implications to woman and children.
Different sectors and law enforcers deals with this kind
of issue in our country. This study will provide facts about
Domestic Violence in our country and will shed light on
how to deal with it properly without giving additional
distress to the victims of violence.
This will serve as future reference to our law enforcer
officers in dealing with domestic violence cases.

DEFINITION OF TERMS
Battery - Act of inflicting physical harm upon the woman or her
child resulting to the physical and psychological or emotional
distress.
Battered Woman Syndrome - scientifically defined pattern of
psychological and behavioral symptoms found in women living in
battering relationships.
Children - those below eighteen (18) years of age or older but are
incapable of taking care of themselves as defined under Republic
Act No. 7610. As used in this Act, it includes the biological children
of the victim and other children under her care.
Dating Relationship - situation wherein the parties live as
husband and wife without the benefit of marriage or are
romantically involved over time and on a continuing basis during

DEFINITION OF TERMS
Economic/Financial abuse or violence - Withdrawal of financial support or preventing
the victim from engaging in any legitimate profession, occupation, business or activity;
Deprivation or threat of deprivation of financial resources and the right to the use and
enjoyment of the conjugal, community or property owned in common; Destroying
household property; Controlling the victims' own money or properties or solely controlling
the conjugal money or properties.
Physical violence - acts that include bodily or physical harm.
Protection Order - an order issued under this act for the purpose of preventing further
acts of violence against a woman or her child and granting other necessary relief. The relief
granted under a protection order serve the purpose of safeguarding the victim.
Psychological violence - acts or omissions causing mental or emotional suffering of the
victim such as intimidation, harassment, stalking, damage to property, public ridicule or
humiliation, repeated verbal abuse and mental infidelity; and causing or allowing the victim
to witness the physical, sexual or psychological abuse of a member of the family to which
the victim belongs.

DEFINITION OF TERMS
Safe place or shelter - any home or institution maintained or managed by the DSWD or
by any other agency or voluntary organization accredited by the DSWD; any other suitable
place the resident of which is willing temporarily to receive the victim.
Sexual relations - single sexual act which may or may not result in the bearing of a
common child.
Sexual violence - Rape, sexual harassment, acts of lasciviousness, forcing her/him to
watch obscene publications and indecent shows or forcing the woman or her child to do
indecent acts and/or make films thereof; Cause the victim to engage in any sexual activity
by force, threat of force or coercion; and Prostituting the woman or child.
Stalking - intentional act committed by a person who, knowingly and without lawful
justification follows the woman or her child or places the woman or her child under
surveillance.
Violence against women and their children - Committed by any person against a
woman who is his wife, former wife, or a woman with whom the person has or had a sexual
or dating relationship; or against her child whether legitimate or illegitimate, which result in
physical, sexual, psychological, or economic abuse.

CHAPTER II
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES
Domestic violence refers to the physical, emotional, sexual,
and/or economic abuses taking place within the family household.
(Goodman & Fallon, 1995)
Violence against women is a serious public health concern
globally since an estimated 20-50% of women in any given country
have experienced domestic violence. Domestic violence is a problem
that has been considered a private concern among Filipino families.
The magnitude of reported cases of wife battering have reached
alarming proportion, and led government and non-government
sectors to intervene particularly in the areas of legislation, policy and
programs. (Jimenez, 1996)

Violence against women or domestic violence centered

among women, as used interchangeably in this study, is
indeed a serious problem. It violates and impairs the
enjoyment by women of human rights and fundamental
freedom. It limits womens opportunities to achieve legal,
social, political and economic equality in society. (Womens
Legal Bureau, Inc., 1998)
For the purpose of this report work, abusive stories
against women, investigative information and different
research regarding violence against women had been
studied.

CHAPTER III
PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA
Investigation of Complaints and Reports involving all forms of Violence
against women and their Children
The PNP Women and Children Protection Desks (WPCD) in coordination with the
Local Social Welfare Development Office (LSWDO), shall conduct timely, thorough
and comprehensive investigation of all cases involving violence against women and
their children, committed within their respective area of responsibility, consistent
with domestic laws, rules and regulations, and international human rights standards.
They shall observe the rules and procedures as provided in section 48 of the
Implementing Rules and Regulations of RA 9262 (Anti-Violence Against Women and
Their Children Act of 2004). Children refers to those below eighteen (18) years of
age or older but incapable of taking care of themselves as defined under Republic
Act No. 7610. As used in this rule, it includes the biological children of the victim
woman and other children under her care.

Procedures:
a. Upon receipt of the complaint, the WCPD officer shall conduct
appropriate investigation.
b. The WCPD officer shall refer the victim-survivor to the nearest PNP
Crime Laboratory and/or hospital or any medical facilities for
appropriate medico-legal examination.
c. Only persons expressly authorized by the victim-survivor shall be
allowed by the WCPD officer inside a room.
d. Ensure the confidentiality of identity of the victim-survivor and all other
parties directly involved with the case under investigation.
e. After the conduct of police investigation, the WCPD officer shall refer the
victim-survivor to the social worker of the LGU
f.

The WCPD officer shall forward the investigation report, together with
the relevant evidence.

g. If the victim-survivor is found to have manifestations of Battered

Woman Syndrome, the WCPD officer shall inform , local professional
or civic groups in the area for appropriate psychiatric and
psychological evaluation which may form part of the evidence to be
presented in court;
h. Assist in the application and enforcement of the provisions of the
protection order as may be issued by the barangay or the court;
i. Respond, with the assistance of other police personnel, barangay
officials, and other parties-in-interest, to a call for emergency
assistance to ensure immediate protection of the victim-survivor;
j. In case where the perpetrator is armed or in possession of deadly
weapon in plain view, cause the confiscation thereof with the
assistance of other police personnel;

k. Effect the arrest of the perpetrator by virtue of a warrant

issued by the court;
l. The WCPD officer or any designated police officer shall
provide assistance to help facilitate the transfer of the
victim-survivor to a safe place of her own choice;
m.Monitor and follow up the case in violation of the Act
that has been filed in court;
n. Participate in multi-disciplinary mechanisms to address
the protection needs of the victim-survivor of VAWC;

INVESTIGATION OF COMPLAINTS AND REPORTS

INVOLVING OTHER FORMS OF CHILD ABUSE

Police officers, in coordination with the PNP Women and

Children Protection Desks (WCPD) and Local Social Welfare
Development
Office
(LSWDO),
shall
conduct
an
investigation on all cases of child abuse committed within
their respective area of responsibility, consistent with
domestic laws, rules, and regulations, and international
human rights.
a. Police officers shall, upon receipt of a complaint or
report or information , shall take immediate action
thereon, but under no circumstance shall beyond forty-

b. In situations where immediate rescue operations are necessary, the

police officers and WCPD in coordination with the LSWDO and other
stakeholders shall prepare the corresponding rescue operations plan;
c. The police officers, together with any officer of the Commission on
Human Rights (CHR) in or near the area of operation shall, without
delay, proceed to the place where the child-victim is located and
execute the rescue operations plan;
d. Upon rescue of the child-victim, the law enforcers shall turn-over the
child-victim to the LSWDO for protective custody;
e. child-victim shall be immediately taken to the nearest government
medical center or hospital or clinic for physical and psychological
examination, treatment and/or confinement;

f. The police officer, in coordination with the LSWDO, shall

gather the necessary/relevant and material data and
evidence to support the filing of appropriate charges before
the Prosecutors Office and trial of the child-abuse case/s
before the court.
g. The police officer shall ensure that the child-victim shall not
be subjected or exposed to multi-victimization in the course
of investigation
h. Investigation of child abuse cases shall be assigned
preferably to members of the Women and Children
Protection Desk (WCPD)

STATISTICS ON VIOLENCE AGAINST FILIPINO

WOMEN AND THE PHILIPPINE LAWS FORMULATED

There are different trends in the number of violence against

women cases from different government agencies. The number of
VAW cases reported to the police increased sevenfold, from 1,100 in
1996 to 7,383 in 2004. In 2006 a total of 5,758 VAW cases were
reported to the police. In 2008 the number of VAW cases reported to
the police rose by 21 percent from the 2007 report. One of the worst
forms of violence against women in the region is human trafficking.
According to the 2008 National Demographic and Health Survey
conducted by the National Statistics Office, one in five Filipino
women age 15-49 has experienced physical violence since age 15.
(Wikipedia information)

To addressed this phenomena, the Philippines has enacted

several laws protecting women from violence Anti-Sexual
Harassment, Anti-Rape and Rape Victim Assistance and
Protection, Anti-Trafficking in Persons, Anti-Violence against
Women and Children with Womens and Childrens Desks and
Services.
The Republic Act 9262 - The Anti-Violence against Women Act
was passed in 2004.
In 2007, Senator Pia S. Cayetano filed Senate Bill No. 1407 in
the Philippine Senate seeking to declare November 25 of every
year as the National Consciousness Day for the Elimination of
Violence against Women in the Philippines.

COMMON REASONS OF UNREPORTED

CASES AND UNPURSUED CASES OF
VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN
1. Many women do not wish to see the father of their children
imprisoned, for fear of stigma or because they cannot afford to
lose the family's bread winner.
2. There is an element of forgiveness for the sake of family
togetherness.
3. it is simply a couples quarrel or better known in Filipino as away
mag-asawa.
4. Lack of faith in the countrys justice system caused by frustrations
over the lack of results in filing complaints.
5. Some male lawyers and judges fail to take the issue of domestic
violence seriously enough.

THE PERPETRATORS
COMMON MOTIVE
1. Chauvinism is a common thinking among perpetrators.
2. They want to reaffirm that being the man, they are the head of the
family.
3. Coming home from work only to find his wife not only gambling, and
cuddling with another man as well.
4. A sexist attitude is compounded by problems of drug addiction,
alcoholism, gambling and womanizing.
5. Some women are accused of being naggers or neglectful of their
duties as wife that is why they are beaten by their spouses.
6. Rape is sometimes attributed to a raped womans flirtatious ways.

ITS IMPLICATIONS TO WOMAN AND

CHILDREN WELFARE
1. Violence against Women leaves marks to the victims personality. It strikes the
personhood of women.
2. VAW limits human development.
3. Most victim have the inability to see the effects of the abuses done to her. She
seems to have accepted all abuses inflicted on her as part of a normal life
situation.
4. Womans acceptance of the abuses of his husband as evidenced by her keeping
silent to stop the abuses is a common behavior of an abused wife who takes
responsibility for the batterers actions (Frisch & Frisch, 2002).
5. On the part of their children , according to DSWD, such children suffer the
traumatic effects for the rest of their lives. Their chances of becoming perpetrators
are higher than those of children who are not exposed to domestic violence.

CHAPTER IV
SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Violence against women or domestic violence centered among
women, as used interchangeably in this study, is indeed a serious
problem. It violates and impairs the enjoyment by women of human
rights and fundamental freedom. It limits womens opportunities to
achieve legal, social, political and economic equality in society.
(Womens Legal Bureau, Inc., 1998)
The Philippine National Police (PNP) says the law effectively
encourages victims to come forward and report their case to the
authorities. In less than ten years, police have noted a big leap in the
number of cases reported to them wherein husbands are the primary
perpetrators, some are boyfriends or unmarried partners.

CONCLUSIONS
Violence against woman and their children has been one of the primary
concerned of the government. Through laws promulgated, the society
could tell that the government adheres to the voice of the women. That
our rights and our value had been seen.
May it be our past culture that men are always powerful than woman, in
our present era, woman had been treated equally from simple tasks up to
the highest profession. Hence, as an individual, violence could end by
helping police officers, NGOs, and other local government units concerned
by educating those woman who doesnt even know to defend herself.
Police officers on the other hand, may only assist victims who filed
complaint in their headquarters. It is still important that those victims be
given information on how they will end their tragic fate.

RECOMMENDATIONS
1. The risk of violence against women and children could
be lessen through proper education.
2. Those women suffering in battered wife syndrome
should be treated well through various psychological
programs or activities to regain their self-esteem and
confidence.
3. I strongly suggest to improve the seminars and
workshops conducted in every place in the Philippines
making it capable to reach out large number of women.

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