Council on women, children reminds public to report psychological, economic abuses
By Renelle L. Escuadro
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — The Caraga Regional Inter-Agency Committee Against Trafficking and Violence Against Women and their Children (RIACAT-VAWC) reminds the public that psychological violence and economic harm are also abuses against women and children, considered as violations under Republic Act 9262, and should be reported consistently.
Chief Jessie Catherine B. Aranas of the Protective Services Division of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Caraga said during the Kapihan sa PIA on Nov. 26 at SM City Butuan, “RA 9262, also known as the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004, covers four types of abuses committed by an intimate partner that causes physical, sexual, psychological and economic harm to a woman or her child.”
In response to an inquiry by an online viewer of the Kapihan sa PIA, Aranas acknowledged that most abuses reported to authorities and to the council are physical and sexual violence. However, she expounded that RA 9262 also covers psychological and economic abuses, and victim-survivors should not be afraid to report these violations and seek redress.
“RA 9262 also includes psychological violence such as verbal abuse, cursing, stalking, threats, among others,” she added. “While economic harm or financial abuse embraces scenarios such as preventing a partner from working without justification, withholding financial support, and destroying property.”
With RA 9262 as a powerful tool for protection, accountability, empowerment, and justice, the members of Caraga RIACAT-VAWC led by DSWD Caraga, continue to encourage victim-survivors of VAWC to report to their Barangay VAW Desk or the nearest Women and Children Protection Desk (WCPD) of the Philippine National Police in their respective municipality or city. They may also call dedicated hotline numbers, including 911 for legal remedies, and perpetrators will face consequences as violations have corresponding penalties.
Meanwhile, the said episode of the Kapihan sa PIA formed part of the 18-Day Campaign to End VAW, supporting the Philippine government’s goal of protecting the human rights of women and girls by upholding its commitment to address all forms of gender-based violence as enshrined in the 1987 Constitution.
For this year, the observance of the 18-day Campaign to End Violence Against Women, from November 25 to December 12, has the recurring theme, ‘UNiTEd for a VAW-free Philippines. (RLE, PIA Dinagat Islands)
