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Women's Awareness on the Law on Anti-Violence

Against Women and their Children

Article in JPAIR Multidisciplinary Research · March 2012

DOI: 10.7719/jpair.v8i1.171

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Vol. 8 · March 2012 International Peer Reviewed Journal
Print ISSN
JPAIR: 2012-3981 •Journal
Multidisciplinary Online ISSN 2244-0445 JPAIR Multidisciplinry Research is being certified
doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.7719/jpair.v8i1.171 for QMS ISO 9001:2008 by the Anglo Japanese
Published Online: March 2012 American Registrars of the United Kingdom

Women's Awareness
on the Law on Anti-Violence Against Women
and their Children
MARY ANN E. CAPARAS
MAURO ALLAN P. AMPARADO
me_ann_cap@yahoo.com
mapamparado@gmail.com
University of Cebu, Cebu City, Philippines

Abstract - The Republic Act No. 9262 otherwise known as Anti-

Violence against Women and Their Children Act of 2004 provides the
legal framework of the country’s effort to address violence committed
against women and children in keeping with the fundamental freedom
guaranteed under the Constitution and the Provisions of the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights. This study determined the awareness
on Anti-Violence against Women and their Children Law among
women of Village Looc, Mandaue City, Philippines in 2011. This study
utilized the descriptive-correlational design. The respondents were
96 women who were selected through purposive sampling with the
inclusion criteria that they must be at least 16 years old and living with
a partner. Majority of the respondents were 25-65 years old, single with
live-in partner, has 0-3 children, high school graduates and belonged
to the low monthly income bracket. Most of the respondents expressed
that they have acquired awareness on intimate partner violence
from watching television. Majority of the respondents were aware
of the intimate partner violence in RA 9262. There was a significant
relationship between the modes of Information, Education and
Communication (IEC) and level of awareness of the respondents on
RA 9262. This study concludes that full awareness on RA 9262 through
the modes of IEC is necessary to ensure protection of women and their
children.

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 International Peer Reviewed Journal

Keywords - RA 9262; women; children; intimate partner violence;

IEC; anti-violence, violence against

INTRODUCTION

Intimate partner violence is a major public health problem affecting

thousands of women each year. This kind of violence involves abuse of
female partners which is the most widespread form of family violence.
The assault against women and their children result in physical injuries
and sexual trauma, as well as emotional and psychological problems
which are often severe and long lasting (Bonomi 2008).
The term intimate partner violence refers to a patient of assaultive
and coercive behaviors, including physical, sexual, and psychological
abuse and violence that adults or adolescents use against their
intimate partners. Intimate partnerships include current or former
dating, married, or cohabiting relationships or heterosexuals, lesbian
women, or gay men. It is a purposeful behavior, directed at achieving
compliance from, or control over, the targeted person. The violence
is part of a system of coercive control that may also include financial
coercion, threats against children and other family members, and
destruction of property (Stuart 2005).
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
(4 edition revision) or DSM-IV-TR by the American Psychiatric
th

Association, has categorized physical abuse of adult such as intimate

partner violence under the section of Problems Related to Abuse or
Neglect wherein the focus of clinical attention is harsh abuse of one
person by another (Antai-Otong 2003). Abuse threatens women’s
health and human rights throughout the world. Women of all races,
ethnic backgrounds, and ages are subjected to forced abortion, rape,
female genital mutilation, and other acts of violence, often at the hands
of their partners or persons known to them (Rebullida 2006).
Studies reveal long-term health problems that are associated
with intimate partner violence and these include chronic neck or
back pain, migraine, stammering, visual and hearing loss, sexually
transmitted diseases, stomach ulcers, frequent indigestion, diarrhea
or constipation. Moreover, victims experience emotional health effects
such as depression, anxiety, alcohol and drug abuse and posttraumatic

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JPAIR: Multidisciplinary Journal

stress disorder (Stuart, 2005). Estimates are that more than 25% to 50%
of men and women worldwide (from adolescents to the elderly) have
suffered physical assault by a partner at least once in their lifetime. The
number is even higher when psychological abuse and other violations
of rights are considered. It is difficult to collect statistics on female to
female, female to male, and male to male abuse because of the lack
of reporting. Women are abused, raped, tortured, or beaten, by their
husband, boyfriend, girlfriend, male or female lover, former partner,
estranged partner, and most of this abuse goes unreported, even when
injuries are severe enough to require treatment. Prior partner abuse
increases the risk of it recurring during pregnancy (Keltner 2007).
Between 25% and 44% of women report a history of intimate partner
violence (IPV) in their adult lifetimewith many suffering depression
coinciding with their abuse experiences. Studies have identified
symptoms of depression as mediating the relationship between
intimate partner violence victimization and subsequent adverse
events in women, such as suicide attempts and further victimization
and depression later in life (Bonomi 2008).
From 90% to 95% of domestic violence victims are women, and one
in three women in the United States is estimated to have been beaten
by a spouse at least once. Each year, as many as 5.3 million women
in the United States experience a serious assault by a partner. Eight
percent of US homicides involve one spouse killing another, and 3
of every 10 female homicide victims are murdered by their spouse,
ex-spouse, boyfriend, or ex-boyfriend. An estimated 324,000 women
experience violence while pregnant (Videbeck 2011).
In the Philippines, as elsewhere in the world, the data on violence
against women and their children (VAWC) is a growing public health
concern. In three years, the reported incidents of women or children
being abused in Central Visayas reached close to 20,000, with about
17,000 cases in Cebu City. Close to 4,000 cases where villages assisted
the complainants were reported to the Cebu City Women and Family
Affairs Commission (CCWFAC) in 2010 alone. In the Department
of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), 828 such cases were
recorded in 2010, the highest in Central Visayas. Based on the
comparative summary of VAWC between 2008 and 2010, the figures
have increased. In 2008, a total of 5,996 VAWC cases were reported.

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The figure ballooned to 8,850 the next year. The records for 2010 were
incomplete, but these indicated 4,751 cases. That is a total of 19,597
cases in three years. Most cases are for battery, which includes physical,
psychological, emotional and economic abuse (Awit 2011).
Recognizing the seriousness of the problem, Congress passed
Republic Act No. 9262 which took effect in March 2004. The Anti-
Violence against Women and their Children Act is a result of many
years of advocacy of victim-survivors, women’s rights and human right
advocates, non-government organizations, and government agencies
led by the National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women. RA
9262 was passed to provide relief and redress to women and children
who are victims of the abuse (Aquino 2005).
In Looc, Mandaue City, Philippines, Police Station 5 has recorded
31 cases of physical injuries in relation to RA 9262 from 2008 to 2010.
It was likewise observed by the researchers in three instances that
women experience verbal abuse and ridicule from their partners. The
incidence of abuse is considered a growing concern to the society.
Because most abused women do not seek direct help for the problem,
knowledge on their level of awareness regarding the law that provides
them protection is essential in providing assistance and holistic care to
these clients. Hence, this study determined the awareness of women
on Anti-Violence against Women and their Children Law. The findings
served as the bases for a proposed action plan.

FRAMEWORK

The study is anchored on three legal bases: fundamental freedom

guaranteed under the Constitution; provisions of the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights; and Republic Act 9262 or Anti-
Violence against Women and Their Children Act of 2004.”Violence
against women and their children” refers to any act or a series of acts
committed by any person against a woman who is his 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 whether legitimate or illegitimate, within or without
the family abode, which result in or is likely to result in physical,
sexual, psychological harm or suffering, or economic abuse including

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JPAIR: Multidisciplinary Journal

threats of such acts, battery, assault, coercion, harassment or arbitrary

deprivation of liberty(www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2004/
ra_9262_2004.html, 2012).
Specifically, the study determined the profile of the respondents,
the IEC materials encountered by respondents in acquiring awareness
regarding the Intimate Partner Violence in RA 9262, and the significant
relationship between the profile and the level of awareness. Figure 1
shows the conceptual framework of the study.

Legal bases:
Fundamental freedom guaranteed under the Constitution
Provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Republic Act 9262 or Anti-Violence against Women and Their Children
Act of 2004

Sources of Information, Education and Communication (IEC)

materials

Level of awareness of RA 9262

Proposed action plan

Figure 1. Conceptual framework of the study

OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

The study determined the women's awareness on Republic Act

9262, the Anti Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of
2004.
MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study utilizes the descriptive-correlational design to determine

the level of awareness on the Anti-Violence Against Women and

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Their Children Law among women in Village Looc, Mandaue City,

Philippines. Looc is one of the partner communities of the University
of Cebu approximately 1.5 kilometers from the heart of the city with
a land area of 897,747 square meters. The consists of 15 sitios with a
population of 16,128 and 3,580 households based on the 2010 census.
The 96 respondents were women, at least 16 years old and above, and
living with a partner.
This study utilizes a researcher-made questionnaire. It is based
on the Republic Act No. 9262, known as The Anti-Violence against
Women and Their Children Act of 2004. This questionnaire is divided
into two parts. The first part deals with the profile of the respondents
which includes the age, civil status, number of children, highest
educational attainment and the sources of Information, Education
and Communication (IEC) materials encountered by respondents
in acquiring awareness regarding the Intimate Partner Violence
in RA 9262. The second part is composed of 25 statements which
determined the level of awareness of the respondents on RA 9262. In
this part, the respondents were instructed to place a check mark to
the corresponding number that appropriately determines their level of
awareness regarding the law.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Table 1 shows the profile of the respondents in terms of age, civil

status, educational attainment, monthly family income. Findings
revealed that majority of the respondents were 25-65 years old, single
with a live-in partner, has 0-3 children, high school graduates with
less than 5,000 Philippine pesos monthly family income. The table also
shows that majority of the respondents have acquired their awareness
on intimate partner violence in RA 9262 from television. Most of the
respondents expressed that they have acquired awareness on intimate
partner violence from watching television.
Health Education is a process whereby knowledge, attitude and
practice of people are changed to improve individual, family and
community health. Health education is a basic health service and
every member of the health team shares responsibility in providing
health education. The sequence of steps in health education includes

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JPAIR: Multidisciplinary Journal

creating awareness, motivation and decision making action to practice

health services. Information refers to the provision of knowledge;
Communication involves the exchange of information. Education
constitutes the change in knowledge, attitude and skills. Health
education makes use of supplementary aids and devices. These
educational materials are aids to a cooperative health program and
helps verbal instructions such as: leaflets, brochure, comic handouts,
flyers, audio-visual aids, bulletin boards, billboards, posters, streamers,
radio, television, and multi-media presentation (Reyala 2000).

Table 1. Profile of the respondents

Variables F %
Age
18-25 (young adult) 30 31.3
25-65 (adult) 66 68.8
Total 96 100
Civil status
Single with live-in partner 50 52.1
Married 42 43.8
Separated 4 4.2
Number of children
0-3 81 84.4
4-6 12 12.5
7-9 3 3.1
Total 96 100
Educational attainment
Elementary level 6 6.3
Elementary graduate 10 10.4
High school level 27 28.1
High school graduate 29 30.2
College level 20 20.8
College graduate 4 4.2
Total 96 100

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Continuation of Table 1

Monthly family income

Less than 5,000 Philippine pesos 63 65.6
5,001-10,000 Philippine pesos 26 27.1
10,001-20,000 Philippine pesos 5 5.3
More than 20,000 Philippine pesos 2 2
Total 96 100
Sources of IEC
Television 62 64.6
Radio 39 40.6
Print Media 11 11.5
Social Networking 10 10.4
Seminars 1 1

Table 2 presents the awareness of the residents on intimate partner

violence in RA 9262. The respondents were less aware on the following
indicators: (1) Any victim who suffers from BWS should be diagnosed
by a psychiatric expert or a clinical psychologist. This will also help
the victim in obtaining a just decision in her case; (2) If the courts have
proven that the offender is guilty of the crime, he may be imprisoned
and will be obliged to pay a fine in the amount of not less than One
hundred thousand pesos (Php100,000.00) but not more than three
hundred thousand pesos (Php300,000.00); (3) It is acknowledged that
women who have retaliated against their partners or who commit
violence as a form of self-defense may have suffered from battered
women syndrome (BWS); (4) The offender will be obliged to undergo
mandatory psychological counseling or psychiatric treatment and
shall report compliance to the court; (5) Battered women syndrome
refers to a scientifically defined pattern of psychological and behavioral
symptoms found in women living in battering relationships as a result
of cumulative abuse.
Many women who have experienced IPV develop a recognized
pattern of psychological symptoms called battered women syndrome.
These symptoms are usually transient but are observed in a
recognizable pattern in women who have been physically, sexually,

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JPAIR: Multidisciplinary Journal

or seriously psychologically abused by their partner. Components of

battered women syndrome are consistent with PTSD. It is usual for
abused women to experience flashbacks to the violent incidents, and
when the intrusive memories are too overwhelming. The statistics
and consequences of violence and abuse require nurses to prepare for
collaboration necessary to the coordination of effective interventions
with victims and perpetrators of violence and abuse (Antai-Otong,
2003).
Furthermore, the table illustrated that the respondents have less
awareness on the protection and relief granted to victims of IPV as well
as the penalty for the perpetrator and the mandatory psychiatric or
psychological treatment that an abuser must undergo according to the
Republic Act 9262. This implies that awareness on IPV on the Republic
Act 9262 needs to be strengthened further. According to Rebullida
(2002), awareness of a Republic Act will only be obtained by way of
mass media, conferences, and seminars, referrals, and information
relayed through individuals and non-government institutions.

Table 2. Awareness on intimate partner violence in RA 9262

Indicators Weight- Interpre-

ed Mean tation

1. The law seeks to address the prevalence of violence against 2.78 Aware
women and children (VAWC), abuses on women and their chil-
dren by their intimate partners like husband or ex-husband,
live-in partner or ex-live in partner, boyfriend/girlfriend or ex-
boyfriend/ex-girlfriend, dating partner or ex-dating partner

2. Violence against women and children (VAWC) is classified as 2.85 Aware

a public crime.

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 International Peer Reviewed Journal

Continuation of Table 2

3. Violence against women and children (VAWC) refers to any 2.90 Aware
act or a series of acts committed by any person against a woman
who is his 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 whether
legitimate or illegitimate, within or without the family abode,
which result in or is likely to result in physical, sexual, psycho-
logical harm or suffering, or economic abuse including threats
of such acts, battery, assault, coercion, harassment or arbitrary
deprivation of liberty.

4. Physical violence refers to acts that include bodily or physical 2.96 Aware
harm.

5. Sexual violence refers to an act which is sexual in nature,

committed against a woman or her child. It includes , but is
not limited to: Rape, sexual harassment, acts of lasciviousness,
treating a woman or her child as a sex object, making demean-
ing and sexually suggestive remarks, physically attacking the
sexual parts of the victim’s body, forcing her/him to watch ob-
scene publications and indecent shows, forcing the woman or
her child to do indecent acts and/or make films thereof, forcing
the wife and mistress/lover to live in the conjugal home or sleep 2.98 Aware
together in the same room with the abuser;

6. Sexual violence includes but is not limited to acts causing or 2.85 Aware
attempting to cause the victim to engage in any sexual activ-
ity by force, threat of force,physical or other harm or threat of
physical or other
harm or coercion;

7. Sexual violence includes prostituting the woman or child. 2.88 Aware

8. Psychological violence refers to acts or omissions causing or 2.84 Aware

likely to cause mental or emotional suffering of the victim such
as but not limited to intimidation, harassment, stalking, dam-
age to property, public ridicule or humiliation, repeated verbal
abuse and mental infidelity;

9. Psychological violence includes causing or allowing the vic- 2.69 Aware

tim to witness the physical, sexual or psychological abuse of a
member of the family to which the victim belongs, or to witness
pornography in any form or to witness abusive injury to pets,
or to unlawful or unwanted deprivation of the right to custody-
and/or visitation of common children;

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Continuation of Table 2

10. Economic abuse refers to acts that make or attempt to make a 2.49 Less
woman financially dependent which includes, but is not limited Aware
to the following: withdrawal of financial support or preventing
the victim from engaging in any legitimate profession, occu-
pation, business or activity, except in cases wherein the other
spouse/partner objects on valid, serious and moral grounds as
defined in Article 73 of the Family Code;

11. Economic abuse includes deprivation or threat of depriva- 2.46 Less

tion of financial resources and the right to the use and enjoy- Aware
ment of the conjugal, community or property owned in com-
mon;

12. Economic abuse includes destroying household property; 2.49 Less

Aware
13. Economic abuse includes controlling the victim’s own mon- 2.36 Less
ey or properties or solely controlling the conjugal money or Aware
properties;

14. A dating relationship refers to a situation wherein the parties 2.70 Aware
live as husband and wife without the benefit of marriage or are
romantically involved over time and on a continuing basis dur-
ing the course of the relationship;

15. Sexual relations refer to a single sexual act which may or 2.83 Aware
may not result in the bearing of a common child;

16. Women are allowed to secure village protection order and/ 2.59 Aware
or temporary or permanent protection order from the courts;

17. Women can also file an independent civil action for damages 2.63 Aware
and criminal action for the violation of RA 9262;

18. A Protection Order is prescribed in the Anti-VAWC Act to 2.79 Aware

prevent further abuse of or violence against a woman. It also
provides her relief from the said abuse or violence;

19. The relief granted under a protection order serves the pur- 2.48 Less
pose of safeguarding the victim from further harm, minimiz- Aware
ing any disruption in the victim’s daily life, and facilitating the
opportunity and ability of the victim to independently regain
control over her life. The provisions of the protection order shall
be enforced by law enforcement agencies;

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 International Peer Reviewed Journal

Continuation of Table 1

20. Anyone of the following may also file the protection order
in behalf of the victim/s: Parent or guardian; grandparents,
children and grandchildren; relatives (aunts, uncles, cousins,
in-laws); local officials and DSWD social workers; police, law-
yers, councilors, punong village or village kagawad; therapists
and health care providers (nurses, doctors, village health work-
ers); any two people who come from the city or municipality
where VAWC happened and who have personal knowledge of
the crime; 2.76 Aware

21. It is acknowledged that women who have retaliated against 2.22 Less
their partners or who commit violence as a form of self defense Aware
may have suffered from battered women syndrome (BWS);

22. Battered women syndrome refers to a scientifically defined 2.35 Less

pattern of psychological and behavioral symptoms found in Aware
women living in battering relationships as a result of cumula-
tive abuse;

23. Any victim who suffers from BWS should be diagnosed by a 2.05 Less
psychiatric expert or a clinical psychologist. This will also help Aware
the victim in obtaining a just decision in her case;

24. If the courts have proven that the offender is guilty of the 2.06 Less
crime, he may be imprisoned and will be obliged to pay a fine Aware
in the amount of not less than One hundred thousand pesos
(Php100,000.00) but not more than three hundred thousand pe-
sos (Php300,000.00);

25. The offender will be obliged to undergo mandatory psy- 2.29 Less
chological counseling or psychiatric treatment and shall report Aware
compliance to the court.

Grand Mean 2.61 Aware

Table 4 reveals that there was a significant relationship between the

sources of IEC materials and level of awareness of the respondents

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JPAIR: Multidisciplinary Journal

on IPV. The relationship was moderately positive. This is supported

by Bandura who postulated that behavior occurs as a result of the
interplay of cognitive and environmental factors (Antai-Otong 2003).
Bandura further explains that learning occurs by simply observing and
that one of the basic models of observational learning is the symbolic
model, which involves real or fictional characters displaying behaviors
in books, films, television programs, or online media (Gordon 2001).
Similarly, according to health belief model, cues to action are also
modifying factors and are provided by activities such as mass media
campaigns, advice from others, and literature such as newspaper or
magazine article. The likelihood of taking a recommended preventive
health action is thus a composite of individual perceptions and
modifying factors (Taylor 2005).

Table 4. Relationship between socio demographic variables and level

of awareness on intimate partner violence in RA 9262

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Variables Value Approx. Sig. Interpretation

Age and level of Phi .134 .631 No significant
awareness Relationship
Cramer’s V .134 .631
at
Contingency .133 .631
Coefficient
Civil status and Phi .324 .121 No significant
level of awareness Relationship
Cramer’s V .229 .121
at
Contingency .308 .121
Coefficient
Family size and Phi .292 .226 No significant
level of awareness Relationship
Cramer’s V .206 .226
at
Contingency .280 .226
Coefficient
Highest Phi .452 .186 No significant
educational Relationship
attainment and Cramer’s V .261 .186
at
level of awareness Contingency .412 .186
Coefficient
Monthly income Phi .333 .301 No significant
and level of Relationship
awareness Cramer’s V .192 .301
at
Contingency .316 .301
Coefficient
Source of Phi .715 .015 Significant
information Relationship
and level of at
awaareness Moderate
Cramer’s V .413 .015 positive
Contingency .582 .015
Coefficient

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

In conclusion, residents of Looc, Mandaue City were aware of the
Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Law. Sources of
IEC influenced their level of awareness on Intimate partner violence
in RA 9262. The researchers recommend the following: continuing
education on economic abuse and battered women syndrome;
continuous determination of incidence of intimate partner violence

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in the community; enforce programs for women that includes

increasing training and opportunities to improve self-esteem and
negotiating skills; deliver assistance for clients to find opportunities
for employment and to conduct skills and development programs for
women to improve their talents and abilities; and, promote advocacy
that includes referrals to social services and community agencies.

LITERATURE CITED

Antai-Otong, D.
2003 Psychiatric nursing: biological and behavioral concepts.
Singapore: Delmar Thompson Learning Asia.

Aquino, R.C.
2005 The legal protection of vulnerable sectors: a guide to R.A.
9208, “The anti-trafficking in persons act” and R.A. 9262,
“The violence against women and their children act” and
implementing rules and regulations. Philippines: Central
Prints on Demand.

Awit, J.G.
2011 17T cases in Cebu. Sun Star, p. A2.

Bonomi, A.E.
2008 Use of brief tools to measure depressive symptoms in women
with a history of intimate partner violence. Nursing Research.
57 (3), pp. 150-156.

Gordon, M.
2001 Nursing diagnosis process and application. Boston: Mosby

80