DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental, Dec. 3 (PIA) -- Local government units (LGUs) should establish measures that would reduce the incidents of gender-based sexual harassment in their area in line with the joint memorandum circular issued by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW).

This was the reminder of DILG Negros Oriental Gender and Development (GAD) Focal Person Engr. Gemylene Espina for the LGUs as she discussed the directives to ensure the effective and efficient implementation of Safe Spaces Act in cities and municipalities during a Kapihan sa PIA forum here on Dec. 1.

The Safe Spaces Act, commonly referred to as Bawal Bastos Law, aims to prevent any form of sexual harassment in public places such as streets, restaurants, cafes, malls, public utility vehicles, workplace, offices, educational and training institutions and even in the online public space and penalize those who will violate the law.

Some acts that are considered as a form of sexual harassment under this law are cat-calling, wolf-whistling, intrusive gazing, statement of sexual comments and suggestions, stalking, groping, or any advances, whether verbal or physical that is unwanted and has threatened one’s sense of personal space.

As per DILG-PCW Joint Memo Circular 2020-1, LGUs should create Anti-Sexual Harassment (ASH) desks and ASH hotlines in their city or municipal hall and also designate ASH Enforcers (ASHEs) or desk officers who will receive complaints on any forms of Gender-Based Sexual Harassment (GBSH).

LGUs should also establish a referral network to aid in the response and in giving proper interventions to victims of GBSH.

Espina added that LGUs should also provide trainings and capacity-building measures to barangays and members of the Lupong Tagapamayapa for them to be aware that incidents and cases related to GBSH are not within their scope and any case reports should be referred to the authorities.

On the other hand, the provincial government and other government line agencies involved in the promotion of the law should provide assistance to component cities and municipalities in the formulation of information materials which will be cascaded to the LGUs and barangays for wider dissemination.

“The province is also tasked to engage academic institutions, kaning mga (these) civil society organizations (CSOs), women’s organizations, and local media to conduct advocacy campaigns in preventing the occurrence of gender-based sexual harassment,” Espina said.  

The call to intensify the promotion of Safe Spaces Act is consistent with the observance of the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW) which focuses the campaign on raising awareness about prevention of GBSH in public places.

This is reflected in this year’s campaign slogan: “Filipino Marespeto. Sa Safe Spaces Kasali Tayo.”

Provincial Commission on Women (PCW) Deputy Chair Phoebe Tan also emphasized in the same Kapihan that such acts could leave a negative effect on the victim.

“Kani man gud siya, matud pa sa balaod makaapekto ni sa biktima physically, mentally, emotionally, psychologically na pwede sila magsugod ug labdan ug ulo or headache, mo-develop sila ug acid, heartburns, or trigger anxiety or depression, magpakahadlok or maglagot, or traumatic (The laws says these acts could cause the victim physical, mental, emotional, or psychological problems like headaches, hearburns, or it can trigger anxiety, depression, fear, or deep anger, or cause trauma),” Tan said.

Tan also said that public spaces is not only limited to physical spaces but also the online public sphere as she cited national statistics that 64% of young Filipino females have experienced sexual harassment online.

Tan stressed that it is important to promote the major features of the Bawal Bastos Law to the public because sexual-based violence comes in many forms. (RAL/PIA7 Negros Oriental)