CCPO notes drop in VAWC cases

CEBU, Philippines — A decrease in violence against women and their children (VAWC) cases was noted in Cebu City for 2022, records at Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) show.

Police Captain Gail Nicario, head of CCPO's Women and Children Protection Desk (WCPD), said they only recorded 101 VAWC cases for 2022, which is relatively lower compared to 159 cases in 2021.

Nicario said most cases were related to physical, psychological, and financial abuse.

Physical abuse refers to " intentional" bodily injury committed by a husband or partner toward their partner, such as slapping, pinching, choking, and kicking; psychological abuse involves the regular and deliberate use of a range of words and non-physical actions used with the purpose to manipulate, hurt, weaken or frighten a person; and financial abuse refers to the absence of a husband or partner to support his children in terms of money matters.

Nicario encouraged VAWC victims to report their cases to the police for appropriate filing of charges, citing most tolerate the abuse out of love for their partners or husbands.

"Our women are really soft-hearted. There are instances that we encourage or empower the woman who is abused, but for humanitarian consideration, they will pity their partners. We can only file on their behalf provided that we have seen it on the act, in flagrante delicto," said Nicario.

Under the Republic Act 9262, otherwise known as the Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act of 2004, offenders proven guilty under the law may be subjected to imprisonment ranging from one month to 20 years and pay a fine of P100,000 to P300,000 in damages, mandatory psychological counseling or psychiatric treatment.

For the process, Nicario said victims could approach their Violence Against Women (VAW) Desk among their barangays, where they will be assisted to go to the nearest police station.

They will be taken to the pink center at Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) for a physical and psychological evaluation. She also encouraged the public to avoid victim blaming but instead inspire them to live a normal life outside the abuse.

Despite not being included in VAWC, Nicario also called on husbands or males being abused by their wives or partners to also report to the police, which will also be subjected to investigation.

Among the common charges to be filed by battered males were for physical injuries. — FPL (FREEMAN)