Sexual Harassment In Philippines

CHAPTER I

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Introduction

Violence and harassment, despite of its commonness, still remain as the primary neglected issues in our homeland. Sexual violence has long been recognized as a major problem in Philippines, including other foreign countries. It constitutes variety of forms that is not being recognized. The most known form of violence is the sexual harassment and unfortunately, many people still do not know. This study will contribute to the past studies regarding sexual violence that happens in different settings; it will contain the level of awareness of the children (specifically the Grade 10 students) about sexual harassment and their perceived knowledge that contributes to their level of awareness.

What is sexual harassment? In Section 3 of Republic Act 7877 or the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act, sexual harassment is defined as: when the person demands, requests, or requires sexual favours from another person in exchange for another thing, and when they refused to do and accept sexual favours, this will result to oppressing or deprive them in terms of employment services promotions and privileges. Abusing someone’s rights under the labour law just because of the refusal done by the victims will also be termed as sexual harassment. This can be committed by an employer, employee, manager, supervisor, agent of the employees, and any other person who has the authority and power over other people. In education and training environment, sexual harassment happens when a person demands, requests, or requires sexual favors from a student in exchange for “giving a passing grade, or the granting of honors and scholarships, or the payment of a stipend, allowance or other benefits, privileges and considerations.” This may be committed by a "teacher, instructor, professor, coach, trainer, or any other person who, having authority, influence, or moral ascendancy over another...demands, requests, or otherwise requires any sexual favor from the other." (Philippine Commission on Women (PCW),

Either way, anyone can also be a sexual offender. Both men and women can be a victim and offender, but men largely dominate the offender side, and whether they are professional or not, whatever status do they belong; this won’t be a hindrance for them to commit sexual harassment. It simply says that neither educational background nor wealth status can obviate them from disrespecting women. The SWS survey says that 70 percent of sexual harassment incidents come from a complete stranger. The studies show that there are rising cases about sexual harassment, but some of these cases tend to be under-reported. In the recent survey report, about 53 people experienced sexual harassment on 2004 and it was winding down as year passes by, but a sudden increase happens in 2013 wherein there were 196 reported cases about sexual harassment. The increasing trend of cases was shown from 2004 to