1.

WHAT IS THE ANTI-VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND THEIR

CHILDREN ACT OF 2004 OR REPUBLIC ACT 9262?
It is the law penalizing acts of violence against women and their
children. These acts include physical violence, sexual violence,
psychological violence and economic abuse and committed by a
womans husband, live-in partner or dating partner.
2. WHAT IS VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND THEIR CHILDREN OR
VAWC UNDER THE LAW?
It 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 outside the family residence,
which results in or is likely to result in physical, sexual, psychological
harm or suffering, or economic abuse, including threats of such acts,
battery, assault, coercion, harassment or arbitrary deprivation of
liberty.
A dating relationship is one which has a romantic involvement, that
a relationship existed between a woman and her partner who is or
was abusive, whether or not the relationship was formal, while a
sexual relationship refers to a sexual act(s), which may or may not
result to a bearing of a child.
3. WHO IS PROTECTED UNDER THE LAW?
The law seeks to protect the woman and her children. Children refers
to the children of the abused woman, below 18 years old, legitimate
or illegitimate, or those who are 18 years old and above but are
incapable of taking care of themselves, including children who are
not her biological children but are under her care.
4. WHAT ARE EXAMPLES OF ACTS THAT ARE PUNISHABLE?
Physical abuse includes acts which inflicts physical/bodily harm like
battery. Economic abuse includes not giving adequate financial
support, controlling the conjugal money or the womans own money.
Psychological abuse includes marital infidelity, repeated verbal

abuse, public humiliation or stalking. Sexual violence includes causing

to make the woman or her child to perform sexual acts or prostituting
the woman or her child.
5. WHAT CAN WOMEN AND CHILDREN WHO ARE VICTIMS DO?
The law allows women and their children to a secure barangay
protection order (BPO) and/or temporary or permanent protection
order from the courts. They can also file for criminal action for the
violation of this Act.
6. WHAT IS A PROTECTION ORDER?
It seeks to protect the woman and her child from further abuse or
violence. A Barangay Protection Order can be obtained from the
barangay issued by the Punong Barangay, or if unavailable, by a
kagawad. Another option is to apply for a Temporary Protection
Order from the Family Court in her place of residence, or if there is
no Family Court, in the Regional Trial Court or the Municipal Trial
Court.
7. WHO CAN FILE A CASE?
Violence against women and children is a public offense under
Philippine law, meaning, anyone who has personal knowledge of the
crime may file a case on the victims behalf. This includes parents or
guardians, grandparents, children and grandchildren, other relatives,
local officials, social workers, lawyers, counselors, health care
providers and the police. (Mithi Villarmea, Contributor