BY PRINCE GOLEZ
Manila Reporter
MANILA – Over 15,700 cases of violence against women (VAW) have been reported in the first half of 2014.
Of the total number of cases, Western Visayas has the highest at 3,747, according to the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) Directorate for Investigative and Detective Management.
An alarmed Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago of Iloilo City wants the Senate to investigate the rising incidence of VAW.
The cases appear to be rising each year. The PNP received 11,531 complaints in 2012, and 16,517 in 2013.
“The government must formulate an effective plan to make more women aware of their rights, and to encourage them to report any violation, should there be any, without any fear or hesitation,” said Santiago.
Second to Region 6 in the most number of VAW cases is Davao with 3,614; Northern Mindanao, 2,064; Region 12, 1,307; the Caraga region, 939; Metro Manila, 794; and Southern Tagalog, 768.
The Bicol region has 541 complaints; Central Luzon, 363; Eastern Visayas, 233; Cagayan Valley, 165; and Western Mindanao, 109.
Santiago said both the national and local governments must fight VAW.
In filing Senate Resolution No. 850, Santiago cited Republic Act 9262 or the “Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act” which provides that, “the State shall exert efforts to address violence committed against women and children in keeping with the fundamental freedoms under the Constitution and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.”
The law defines “violence against women and children” as any “physical, sexual, psychological or economic abuse” against a woman, 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, legitimate or illegitimate./PN
