Other Forms of Violence Reproductive or Medical Abuse

Other Forms of Violence
Reproductive or Medical Abuse
Women may be forced to get pregnant, use contraceptives, or undergo abortions.

Another form of violence is the withholding of information about safe pregnancy,
contraceptives, and childbirth.
Abuse of Women in Intimate Relationships
Women who are abused by their partners are called victims of intimate partner violence
or abuse. It entails any form of violence or harm against a woman by her current or
former partner ( husband or live-in partner). The abuse of women in intimate
relationship ( AWIR) is seen as a major health issue that affects a woman physically and
emotionally. It also causes psychosocial harm.
Domestic Violence
Domestic violence occurs within a home where an unequal power relationship between
the victim and the perpetrator exists. This form of VAW may occur in relationships
between husband and wife, father or mother and child, aunt or uncle and child,
grandparent and child, adult son and mother, or older relative and younger relative. Due
to unequal gender relationships , an act of violence may also be considered domestic
violence if it is committed by an adult male relative to a woman who may be older, of the
same age, or younger than him.
The Impacts of Vaw
Violence against women influences how they participate in the public sphere. A woman
who is a victim of VAW loses one out of five of her health days because of abuse. The
issues are not only personal but financial as well. The high costs in treating a victim of
VAW are associated with physical treatment, therapy, shelters, training for advocates
against VAW , and the prosecution.
Health Consequences
VAW is a global phenomenon deeply rooted in certain cultures. The UN has framed
VAW as a health issue to make it easier to address harmful practices and beliefs that
could otherwise affect women. VAW has long-term and short-term effects on women
physically, emotionally, and sexually. It can lead to unwanted pregnancies, unwanted
miscarriages, sexually transmitted diseases and other sexual and reproductive health
issues. Women who experience VAW may develop mental health problems such as
post-traumatic stress disorder ( PTSD) eating disorders, sleep disorders and the like.
These issues may have physical manifestations such as migraines, pains in various
parts of one's body, limited mobility and other health issues. Women who are victims of
sexual abuse and violence may likewise take on harmful adaptive measures to
compensate for unaddressed trauma , such as smoking and drug abuse , as well as
risky sexual behavior.
Law on Vaw
1987 Constitution
— Gender equality is enshrined and women in theory are protected from discrimination
based on their gender.
Before the inclusion of gender equality to the constitution:
1.Sexual harassment was not recognized.

2.Raped was a crime against chastity.
3.Women were prone to abuse in their relationships.
4.Those who were not seen as stereotypically chaste were discriminated.
5.The law had given the husband the right to control a couple's property.
1995 Beijing Platform for Action
—The agenda of this platform is to address the issue as they view VAW as an area of
concern.
In 2016, six laws were already created and these includes;
1. Anti- Sexual Harrassment Act of 1995

2. Anti- Rape Act of 1997
3. Rape Victims Assistance Act of 1995
4. Anti- Mail Order Bride Law of 1990
5. Anti- Trafficking in Person Act of 2003
6. Anti- Violence against Women and Their Children Act of 2004
Anti- Sexual Harrassment Act of 1995

AN ACT DECLARING SEXUAL HARASSMENT UNLAWFUL IN THE EMPLOYMENT,
EDUCATION OR TRAINING ENVIRONMENT, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
Who: Any other person who having authority, influence or moral ascendancy against
any person over another in a work or training or educational environment.
Moreover, sexual harrassment does not limit only to sexual favor or any act of sexual
intercourse orally, categorical or written instrument but also in action.
Anti- Rape Act of 1997
Equal protection to boys and girls who suffered being rape by means of imprisonment
for 30 yrs. (Reclusion Perpetua) and 17 years for sexual assault.
Rape Victims Assistance Act of 1995
DSWD, DOH, NGO, DILG and DOJ shall establish in every province and city a rape
crisis center located in a government hospital or health clinic or in any other suitable
place for the purpose of:
a. Providing rape victims with psychological counselling, medical and health services
including their medico-legal examination.
b. Securing free legal assistance or service, when necessary, for rape victims
c. Assisting rape victims in the investigation to hasten the arrest of offenders and the
filing of cases in court.
d. Ensuring the privacy and safety of rape victims.
e. Adopting and implementing programs for the recovery of rape victims.
Anti- Mail Order Bride Act of 1990
An act banning the practice of matching specifically Filipino women for marriage to
foreign nationals using mail, advertisement, publication, printing or distribution of
brochures, fliers and other propaganda materials and providing a marriage penalty.
Anti-Trafficking in Person Act of 2003
An act institutes policies to eliminate trafficking in persons especially women and

children, establishing the necessary institutional mechanisms for the protection and
support of trafficked persons, providing penalties for its violations, and for other
purposes.
Anti- Violence against Women and Their
Children Act of 2004
It is a law passed in the Philippines for the protection of women and children from
violence and to address violence committed against women and children in keeping
with the fundamental freedoms guaranteed under the Constitution and the Provisions of
the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, among others.
Fast Facts: Violence Against Women
1. Lower levels of education perpetuate VAW or cause women to become victims of

VAW, specifically sexual violence.
2. Witnessing family violence makes one prone to becoming both an abuser or victim of
VAW.
3. Women may become isolated because of VAW.
4. One may fail to participate in her everyday activities because of this violence.
5. Women may develop mental health issues because of VAW
6. VAW may result in the inability to work which may lead to the loss of one's source of
livelihood.
7. A woman who experiences VAW is prone to
substance abuse.
Fast Facts: Intimate Partner Violence
1. Women who are in abusive relationships often have a past history of violence.
2. Those who perpetrate sexual violence hold high value for family honor and sexual
purity. They believe in male sexual entitlement.
3. The unequal position of women relative to men and the normative use of violence to
resolve conflict are strongly associated with both intimate partner violence and
non-partner sexual violence.
Prevention and Response
Three things are considered when looking at the causes of VAW:

1. one’s personal experience— based on her behavior and actual relationship between
the victim and perpetrator.
2. one's context— her notion on VAW.
3. one's culture and society— perpetuation of VAW is a result of its normalization in
society.
Many excuses passed off as justifications of VAW are actually

misconceptions. These excuses may involved:
1. female biology and women socially constructed roles.

2. women are naturally weak
3. men are naturally aggressive
4. VAW is natural and personal issue that should be addressed only
within the family.
5. result of the interaction of ideology and beliefs, system, social
structures, community patterns, and personal history.
Prevention
In general, VAW is a very personal issue. The stigma associated with reporting VAW is
a major issue that hinder these cases from being addressed. In order to prevent such
cases, it is every citizen's responsibility to foster a culture that makes VAW
unacceptable. Basically, fostering awareness regarding this matter.
Response
More research in culture- and content-specific VAW can help address this form of
violence which may depend on one's locale. Different agencies should respond properly
in educating people about VAW, its cost, and its effect on one's health. Supporting
national efforts and groups that handle VAW cases and care for victims can help tackle
the issue at its root.
Forced Marriage
The Forced Marriage Unit defines forced marriage as where one or both people do not
(or in cases of people with learning disabilities, cannot) consent to the marriage and
pressure or abuse is used. It is an appalling and indefensible practice and is recognised
as a form of violence against women and men, domestic/child abuse and a serious
abuse of human rights.
Forced marriage can happen to anyone from any background, regardless of social
class, financial status and sexuality; which include
people who identify as lesbian, bi-sexual, gay and transgender, or are perceived as
such.
It is important to be aware that forced marriage disproportionately impacts women and

girls, and is therefore recognised as a form of violence against women and girls. When
a forced marriage occurs a number of human rights are breached.
Unwanted Pregnancies
Unintended pregnancies are pregnancies that are reported to have been either
unwanted (i.e., they occurred when no children, or no more children, were desired) or
mistimed (i.e., they occurred earlier than desired). In contrast, pregnancies are
described as intended if they are reported to have happened at the "right time" or later
than desired (because of infertility or difficulties in conceiving).
Health Implications
Women with unintended pregnancies are less likely than those with intended
pregnancies to seek prenatal care during the first trimester, and more likely to use
alcohol and tobacco during pregnancy. Unintended pregnancy that results in a live birth
is associated with physical abuse and violence during pregnancy and the 12 months
before conception, and with household dysfunction and exposure to psychological,
physical or sexual abuse during the woman's childhood.

Other Forms of Violence Reproductive or Medical Abuse

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Other Forms of Violence Reproductive or Medical Abuse

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Other Forms of Violence

Reproductive or Medical Abuse

Women may be forced to get pregnant, use contraceptives, or undergo abortions.

Abuse of Women in Intimate Relationships

The Impacts of Vaw

Before the inclusion of gender equality to the constitution:

1.Sexual harassment was not recognized.

1995 Beijing Platform for Action

In 2016, six laws were already created and these includes;

1. Anti- Sexual Harrassment Act of 1995

Anti- Sexual Harrassment Act of 1995

Anti- Rape Act of 1997

Rape Victims Assistance Act of 1995

Anti- Mail Order Bride Act of 1990

Anti-Trafficking in Person Act of 2003

An act institutes policies to eliminate trafficking in persons especially women and

Fast Facts: Violence Against Women

1. Lower levels of education perpetuate VAW or cause women to become victims of

Fast Facts: Intimate Partner Violence

Prevention and Response

Three things are considered when looking at the causes of VAW:

Many excuses passed off as justifications of VAW are actually

1. female biology and women socially constructed roles.

It is important to be aware that forced marriage disproportionately impacts women and

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