Gender-based Online Sexual Harassment
Salient points from RA 11313: Safe Spaces Act’s Implementing Rules and Regulations.
Includes acts of sexual harassment that use information and communication technology in terrorizing and intimidating victims.
Physical, psychological, and emotional threats, unwanted sexual misogynistic, transphobic, homophobic, and sexist remarks and comments online whether publicly or through direct and private messages.
Invasion of the victims privacy through cyberstalking and incessant messaging.
Uploading and sharing without the consent of the victim any form of media that contains photo, voice, or video with sexual content.
Unauthorized recording and sharing of any of the victim’s photos, videos, or any information online.
Impersonating identities of victims online or posting lies about victims to harm their reputation.
Filing false abuse reports to online platforms to silence victims.
Penalties
The imposable penalty for violation is prision correccional in its medium period (imprisonment of 6 months and 1 day to 2 years and 4 months) or a fine of not less than Php 100,000 but not more than Php 500,000.
What you must do?
File a complaint directly with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) through its Cybercrime Division, the Philippine National Police Through its Anti-Cybercrime Group, or the Department of Justice through the Prosecutor’s Office.
Hotline Numbers
PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group
Globe: 0915-589-8506
Smart: 0961-829-8033
Facebook: fb.com/anticybercrimegroup
NBI-Violence Against Women and Children Division
Address: NBI Building, Taft Avenue, Ermita, Manila
Hotline: (02) 8525-6028
Email: vawcd@nbi.gov.ph
NBI Cybercrime Division (CCD)
Address: NBI Building, Taft Avenue, Ermita, Manila
Hotline: (02) 523-8231 to 38 local 3454, 3455
Email: ccd@nbi.gov.ph
DOJ Action Center
Hotline: (02) 8521-2930 | 8523-8481 loc. 403
If the perpetrator is a juridical person, its license or franchise shall be automatically deemed revoked, and the persons liable shall be the officers thereof, including the editor and broadcaster in the case of broadcast media. An alien who commits gender-based online sexual harassment shall be subject to deportation proceedings after serving sentence and payment of fines.
Know the acts of gender-based online harassment punishable under the Bawal Bastos Law, corresponding penalties, and the steps you can take should you or someone you know experience these.