Cases of violence against women and children in the country went up in the past seven months, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) disclosed on Thursday, Aug. 4. Based on the data from the Philippine National Police IPNP), a total of 6,383 violence against women cases were reported to the Philippine National Police (PNP) Women and Children Protection Center while 9,677 cases of violence against children were tallied in the same period.[1] This report by the Manila Bulletin is reflective of the cases present here in the municipality of Solano, Nueva Vizcaya. And many of the cases reported to the WCPD are cases of Violence Against Women and Children which is punishable under RA 9262.
The cases that caught my attention are the number of reported rape cases in Solano for the year 2022 which totaled 14. According to the Inquirer’s reporting, Rape was one of the most common crimes in the last six months, the incidence of rape fell to 3,762 from 5,192 on July 2022 to Jan. 7, 2023, Azurin said as he highlighted that index crimes also dipped by 8.03 percent or 1,701 cases.[2] And for that as a benchmark, I can say that 14 cases of rape in a year is high for a class B municipality such as Solano, Nueva Vizcaya. Therefore, we must act accordingly to manage this crisis. Several actions that the Solano Police Station takes to reduce the incidence of rape are 1. Education and awareness campaign. Through the distribution of IEC materials on "Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004" (R.A. 9262), "The Anti-Rape Law of 1997" (R.A. 8353), and Basic Human Rights as part of the stations’ anti-criminality campaign. 2. Giving importance and improving enforcement of law 3. Support services for survivors of RA 9262 5. Implementing a program that aims to intervene and stop rape before it happens. One such campaign is the Men Opposed to Violence against Women Everywhere (MOVE)
For these interventions to prosper, they should be implemented in a holistic manner and tailored to the specific needs of the community. And more importantly in order to effectively reduce the number of rape cases, it’s crucial to have a cultural or community change in the way they think about rape and consent.
Changing the way the community views rape as a crime is a complex issue that requires a multi-faceted approach. Shifting the community's attitudes toward rape must start with providing comprehensive education on the issue of rape which can help people understand the severity of the crime and the impact it has on victims. This can include educating people on the dynamics of consent, the effects of trauma, and the prevalence of rape in society.
Many people still hold harmful beliefs about rape victims, such as the idea that they were "asking for it" or that they are lying. Challenging these attitudes through public awareness campaigns, media coverage, and community discussions can help to shift the blame from the victim to the perpetrator. Holding perpetrators accountable for their actions should be emphasized. This can be done by supporting survivors in coming forward, ensuring that the criminal justice system takes rape seriously, and publicly condemning rape and other forms of sexual violence.
The crime of rape is often viewed as a women's issue, but it affects everyone. Engaging men and boys in discussions about rape can help to challenge harmful gender stereotypes and promote healthy attitudes towards sex and consent. And creating a culture that supports survivors of rape and holds perpetrators accountable requires the involvement of the entire community. Encouraging community members to speak out against rape, supporting survivors, and holding institutions accountable can help to create a safer and more supportive environment for everyone.
Finally changing the attitudes toward rape requires a sustained and collaborative effort from a range of stakeholders, including government agencies, community organizations, educational institutions, and the media. By working together, we can create a culture that prioritizes the safety and well-being of all members of society.
[1] PNP data show increase in cases of violence vs women, children- DILG – Manila Bulletin. (n.d.). Retrieved January 18, 2023, from https://mb.com.ph/2022/08/04/pnp-data-shows-increase-in-cases-of-violence-vs-women-children-dilg/
[2] Rape declines, but numbers don’t tell the story: Sexual violence still pervasive | Inquirer News. (n.d.). Retrieved January 18, 2023, from https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1715756/rape-declines-but-numbers-dont-tell-the-story-sexual-violence-still-pervasive
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