Amicable settlement in VAW cases

Illegal, when not done by parties 

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, November 16, (PIA)—It is illegal for persons in authority whom victims of violence against women (VAW) and children run to arrange for amicable settlements in such cases of abuse. 

The most they could do is arrange for a dialogue among parties, but never beyond that, reminds social worker Donna Belle Mante of the Office of the Provincial Welfare and Development. 

Speaking at the Kapihan sa PIA ushering the 16 day campaign to end VAW, Mante came along with Bohol Police Office Women and Children’s Protection Desk Officer SPO# Elma Suma-oy and Social Welfare and Development officer Rhea Marie Tubongbanua to kick-off the Bohol observance which starts next Sunday, November 25. 

SPO3 Suma-oy defined VAW as any gender-based violence or sex-based violence including acts that are primarily committed against women and girls, by their partners, organized crimes or states who see women as sexual objects for relationships. 

Violence against women can be in several broad categories, Sumaoy, who also helps a summary of VAWC cases which get to Camp Francisco Dagohoy, said these include physical violence, psychological and economic. 

For one, physical VAW refers to acts that include bodily or physical harm, the police woman said. 

Some of the forms of physical violence include sexual violence as rape, domestic violence, sexual harassment, reproductive coercion, female infanticide, prenatal sex selection, obstetric violence, and mob violence, including harmful traditional practices such as dowry violence, genital mutilation, marriage by abduction and forced marriage. 

Others also pressed that some forms of VAW are perpetrated by states as war rape; sexual violence and sexual slavery during conflicts; forced sterilization; forced abortion; violence by the police and authoritative personnel and in some cultures, stoning and flogging. 

Some forms of VAW include trafficking in women and forced prostitution as committed by organized criminal groups. 

On the other hand, any intentional conduct that seriously impairs another person’s psychological integrity through coercion or threats is considered psychological violence and thus abuse. 

The operative word is an abusive pattern of behavior occurring over time–within or outside the family, social workers explained. 

Psychological abuse not only affects individuals’ mental health and their social networks, but also deprives them of opportunities for future personal, social and economic development. 

Examples of these include acts such as isolation from others, verbal aggression, threats, intimidation, control, harassment or stalking, insults, humiliation and defamation. 

Finally, another kind of VAW is economic abuse and this refers to acts that make or attempt to make a woman financially dependent. 

This includes 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 and controlling the victims' own money or properties or solely controlling the conjugal money or properties. 

From January to October, Sumaoy said Bohol has about 11 rape cases now from 9 towns, 9 acts of lasciviousness. 

As to the VAW cases, she shared 15 physical abuse, 20 psychological cases and 19 economic abuse cases. 

While SWAD Tubongbanua said the increase in cases could already mean high awareness, police officers and law enforcement operatives admit these cases are just but tip of the iceberg. 

Many cases do not reach the courts as these are easily settled amicably even before the victim finds the strength to bring the serious matter to the courts. 

In most cases when women are harmed or are already feeling the pain, they go to relatives, or in some extreme cases, the barangay officials or the police, for safety. But, when they realize the children are most affected, the usual move is to withdraw, especially when local officials arrange for dialogs to patch the issue. 

“But, they do not mediate for settlement, they help clear things and issue up but it is always the aggrieved and the offending parties that decide to desist in pursuing the case,” also added Tubongbanua. 

It is illegal to push parties to amicably settle because the underlying issue might be physical abuse and it could result to more serious harm to death. At times, we have to protect the victim and it might be in a form of filing criminal cases to teach the perpetrator a lesson, an inter-actor during the aired radio program sent a text message. 

For barangay governments, where most distress calls are received, the better thing to do is to ensure that your Barangay VAW Desk is functional. 

A Barangay VAW Desk Handbook developed by PCW and DILG with partner agencies can be a guide for BLGUs on what to do and how to set up the help desk. 

Barangays too could establish and strengthen its linkages with local and national government agencies, as well as other non-government organizations where victim-survivors of VAW can be ushered for needed assistance which the barangay is not able to provide. 

Finally, barangays can also promote harmonious family and community relationships, which is grounded on mutual respect for human rights, while taking proactive steps to attain a VAW-free community. 

For women, government agencies helping end VAW suggest women empowerment by knowing their rights and available courses of actions in case these rights are violated. 

They also urge victims to speak out and report to the authorities in case your rights are violated, while they must also encourage others to fight for their rights. 

For men, heed the call to respect women and girls in the home, workplace, and community, join groups promoting Anti-VAW efforts and join in discussions to broaden awareness on the advocacy while enlightening perpetrators about the possible legal implications of getting convicted against VAW. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol) 

NOT FORCING THE ISSUE. Police Women and Children’s Desk at Camp Dagohoy said persons in authority may arrange for a dialogue to patch up cases of violence against women, but they do not force each one to rather settle amicably as this could aggravate the abuse, said SPO3 Elma Suma-oy. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)