Bawal Bastos law signed by President Rodrigo Duterte aims to punish Cursing, Wolf-whistling, catcalling, taunting, and other gender-based harassment in public spaces and online.
The president signed the Republic Act 11313 or the Safe Spaces Act on April 17, and known for his controversial remarks the president will be the first to obey the said law.
“Since the President signed that law, it means that he recognizes the need for that law. Since he’s the Chief enforcer of all the laws in the Philippines, he’ll be the first one to obey that (new) law,” Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said in a Palace briefing.
According to Safe Space Act, actions or deeds considered as gender-based street and public spaces sexual harassment are committed through unwanted and uninvited sexual actions or remarks against any person, regardless of the motive.
The law covers the following acts such as catcalling, wolf-whistling, unwanted invitations, misogynistic, transphobic, homophobic and sexist slurs, persistent uninvited comments or gestures on a person’s appearance; relentless requests for personal details, statement of sexual comments and suggestions; public masturbation or flashing of private parts, groping, or any unwanted advances.
For acts of cursing, wolf-whistling, catcalling, leering and intrusive gazing, taunting, unwanted invitations, misogynistic, transphobic, homophobic and sexist slurs, etc., a P1000 fine, 12 hours of community service and attendance to a gender sensitivity seminar will be imposed on first-time violators.
A six to 10 days imprisonment or a fine of P 3,000 will be imposed on second-time violators while third-time offenders will be sent to jail for up to 30 days and fined P10,000.
For acts such as making offensive body gestures and exposing private parts, public masturbation, groping and similar lewd actions, first offenders will be fined P10,000, ordered to do 12 hours of community service and compelled to attend a gender sensitivity seminar.
Second-time violators will be punished with 11 to 30 days imprisonment and a P 15,000-fine while third-time offenders will be imprisoned from one month and one day to six months and fined P20,000.
The new law also punishes stalking and brushing against any part of the victim’s body. On the first offense, violators will be fined P30,000, jailed 11 to 30 days, and required to attend a gender sensitivity seminar.
On the second offense, violators will be punished to pay a P 50,000-fine and face imprisonment of one month and one day up to six months; while on the third offense, violators will be slapped with a P 100,000-fine.
Meanwhile, the penalty of prision correcional in its medium period or a fine ranging from P 100,000 to P 500,000 will be imposed on any person found guilty of gender-based online harassment.
The law authorizes the Land Transportation Office to cancel the license of a person found guilty of committing sexual harassment in public utility vehicles. It also allows the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board to suspend or revoke the franchise of operators who commit similar actions.
Local Government Units were also directed to “bear primary responsibility in enforcing the provisions” of the Safe Spaces Act by passing ordinances to localize its applicability.
Source:Inquirer
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