(Eagle News)–The Senate has passed on third and final reading a measure that penalizes those who resort to cat-calling, stalking, and other forms of sexual harassment on the streets.
Senate Bill 1558, or “Safe Streets, Workplaces and Public Spaces Act of 2017” which consolidates Senate Bill 1326, or An Penalizing Gender-Based Street and Public Spaces Harassment, Senate Bill 1250, or the Anti Sexual Harassment Act of 2016, and Senate Bill 1254 filed by Senator Grace Poe, otherwise known as An Act To Eliminate All Forms Of Sexual Harassment In Work Places, Educational Institutions, And Public Places was passed with a vote of 21 senators present.
“While wolf-whistling and catcalling are the more common cases, other forms of sexual harassment include stalking, rubbing or touching, indecent gestures, exhibitionism and public masturbation,” Senator Risa Hontiveros, sponsor of the measure, said in explaining the coverage of the same.
She said other banned acts under the measure include “unwanted cursing, wolf-whistling, catcalling, leering, sexist, persistent requests for someone’s name, number or destination after clear refusal, persistent telling of sexual jokes, use of sexual names, comments and demands, following, flashing, groping, among others.
She said “anti-sexual harassment enforcers (A-SHE)” will immediately arrest offenders if caught in the act, under the bill.
The Philippine National Police will deputize the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority enforcers for Metro Manila and the local units of the PNP for other provinces, as “A-SHEs” the bill said.
Offenses are divided into three categories: Light violations, medium violations and severe violations.
“People who commit “light” violations like cat-calling, cursing, wolf-whistling, leering, and persistently telling sexual jokes, could be fined P1,000 and/or made to perform eight hours of community service for their first offense. Three-time offenders face 11 to 30 days in jail or a fine of P3,000,” the measure said.
Making offensive body gestures at someone or exposing private parts for the “sexual gratification” are considered a “medium” violation.
Those who commit the “medium” violation for the third time face one to six months in jail or a fine of P5,000.
On the other hand, stalking, and all the “light” and “medium” acts committed and accompanied by touching, pinching or brushing against the body of a person are considered “severe” violations.
“The offender who committed such acts for the third time would be penalized with a jail term of up to six months or a fine of P10,000,” the measure said.
“The penalty next higher in degree will be applied if the act takes place in public utility vehicle where the perpetrator is the driver of a vehicle and the victim is a passenger; if the victim is a minor; if the perpetrator is a member of the Armed Forces of the Philippines or the PNP; and, if the act takes place in the premises of a government agency offering front-line services to the public,” it added.