Republic Act 9262 or the “Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act of 2004” has now come to the rescue of women. Philandering husbands can now be charged criminally even for just ONE incident of marital infidelity under the “psychological violence” provision of RA 9262.

RA 9262 defines psychological violence as “acts or omissions causing or likely to cause mental or emotional suffering of the victim such as but not limited to intimidation, harassment, stalking, damage to property, public ridicule or humiliation, repeated verbal abuse and marital infidelity. It includes causing or allowing the victim to witness the physical, sexual or psychological abuse of a member of the family to which the victim belongs, or to witness pornography in any form or to witness abusive injury to pets or to unlawful or unwanted deprivation of the right to custody and/or visitation of common children.”

The penalty for “psychological violence” is a minimum of six years up to twelve years of imprisonment. The maximum penalty is imposed if the violence is committed by the intimate partner against the woman when she is pregnant or in the presence of the common children.

Domestic violence is a pattern of violent and coercive behaviors whereby one attempts to control the thoughts, beliefs or behaviors of an intimate partner or to punish the partner for resisting one’s control

Types of Abuse and Behaviors

Physical Abuse : Punching, shoving, slapping, biting, kicking, using a weapon against partner, throwing items, breaking items, pulling hair, restraining partner

Emotional/Verbal Abuse: Putting partner down, calling names, criticizing, playing mind games, humiliating partner, making partner feel guilty

Financial Dependency: Keeping partner from getting a job, getting partner fired from job, making partner ask for money or taking one’s money, expecting partner to support them

Social Isolation: Controlling who partner sees and talks to and where one goes, constantly checking up on partner (calling or following)

Sexual Abuse: Forcing partner to perform sexual acts which are uncomfortable to them, engaging in affairs, telling partner they asked for the abuse, telling partner what to wear,accusing partner of affairs, criticizing sexual performance, withholding affection

Minimizing/Denying: Making light of abuse, saying abuse did not happen, saying the abuse was mutual, blaming partner for abuse

Coercion/Threats/Intimidation: Making partner afraid by looks or gestures, destroying property, hurting pets, displaying weapons, threatening to leave, take children, or commit suicide

You can file a criminal case even if your husband is not in the Philippines. If and when the fiscal’s office files the case in court, the case will be archived (sent to the records) until your husband comes back to the Philippines. If he is then arrested or posts bail, then the case will proceed.

For psychological violence, the letter and picture may be enough evidence.

Government offices where women can ask for help

For RA 9262 and other cases involving women, you can ask for help from the following:

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Crisis Intervention Unit (CIU) Rehabilitation Unit Tel. No.: (02) 734-8635 NCR Ugnayang Pag-asa, Legarda, Manila Tel. Nos.: (02) 734-8617 to 18

Philippine National Police (PNP) Women and Children’s Concern Division (WCCD) Tel. No.: (02) 723-0401 loc. 3480 Call or text 117 (PATROL 117)

National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Violence Against Women and Children’s Desk (VAWCD) Tel. Nos.: (02) 523-8231 loc. 3403

DOJ Public Attorney’s Office Women’s Desk
Tel. Nos.: (02) 929-9010; 929-9436 to 37

Philippine General Hospital (PGH) Women’s Desk Tel. Nos.: (02) 524-2990; 521-8450 loc. 3816

Women’s Crisis Center Women and Children Crisis Care & Protection Unit – East Avenue Medical Center (WCCCPU-EAMC) Tel. Nos.: (02) 926-7744; 922-5235

Please take time to read the following materials from Radio Bible Class that might help you in dealing with your difficult past:

When Trust Is Lost: Healing For Victims Of Sexual Abuse

When Fear Seems Overwhelming: Finding Courage & Hope

When Tragedy Strikes: Finding Security In A Vulnerable World
“>

Surviving Marital Infidelity

Marital infidelity: causes, consequences and conclusions

“Sad Movies Always Make Me Cry”

If you want people to pray for you for whatever your needs are, please follow this link to a prayer room for men and women: