by Thiago Santos April 21, 2022 Session via zoom on April 11. (Photo from Batangas PIO) BATANGAS CITY - The Sangguniang Panglungsod has app...
April 21, 2022
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| Session via zoom on April 11. (Photo from Batangas PIO) |
BATANGAS CITY - The Sangguniang Panglungsod has approved the "Safe Spaces Ordinance of Batangas City," a law aimed at protecting the rights of all people, particularly women.
Safe Spaces Ordinance is Ordinance No. 5 S 2022 or the "An Act Providing for Protection against Gender-Based Sexual Harassment in Streets, Public Spaces, Online, Workplaces, and Educational or Training Institutions Penalties for Violation Thereof and other purposes."
Councilor Nelson Chavez drafted the ordinance approved in session via zoom on April 11.
It is based on Republic Act 11313 or Bawal Bastos Law or the Safe Streets and Public Spaces Act of 2017.
The law aims to combat gender-based sexual harassment or sexually offensive acts against women in public places, on the road, workplace, public transport, schools, recreational areas, bars, terminals, markets, and online.
It states that catcalling (profanity), wolf-whistling (whistling), touching, staring lustfully, forcing or repeatedly taking personal details, homophobic, transphobic or misogynistic remarks or negative and sexual profanity, displaying of private parts of the body or making sexual advances (physical or verbal) in women.
The owners of malls, hotels, restaurants, bars, resorts, cinemas, and others must put up clear warning signs and hotline numbers to report violators easily.
It is also necessary to designate an anti-sexual harassment officer who will receive complaints.
When harassment occurs on public utility vehicles, the owner or operator is liable if the perpetrator is the driver and the offended party is a passenger.
The CSWD will take disciplinary measures under the Batangas City Gender and Development Code if the perpetrator is a minor.
Officials from the office, school, and other institutions receive instructions on how to resolve cases of gender-based sexual harassment and hold violators accountable.
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