Legal Resource · RA 11313

Safe Spaces Act

Republic Act No. 11313 extends harassment law beyond the workplace hierarchy: it covers strangers on the street, anonymous accounts online, and peers in school.

Safe Spaces Act (Bawal Bastos Law) of 2019

Penalises gender-based sexual harassment in streets and public spaces, online, in workplaces, and in educational and training institutions.

Gender-based streets and public spaces harassment

Catcalling, wolf-whistling, misogynistic and homophobic slurs, and persistent unwanted comments on one's appearance.
Persistent telling of sexual jokes, leering, and intrusive gazing.
Public masturbation, groping, and stalking.
Applies in streets, public parks, transport terminals, public vehicles, restaurants, bars, and similar places.

Gender-based online sexual harassment

Physical, psychological, and emotional threats made through digital platforms.
Unwanted sexual misogynistic, transphobic, and sexist remarks online.
Non-consensual uploading or sharing of photos and videos of a sexual nature.
Impersonation, doxxing, and incessant messaging despite a clear refusal.

Workplace and educational institutions

Employers must disseminate the law, create an independent internal committee on decorum and investigation, and provide a safe reporting mechanism.
Schools must adopt a code of conduct and discipline both students and personnel.
Liability attaches to the employer or school head who fails to act on a reported case.

Penalties and consequences

What is at stake.

Street and public space harassment: fines from PHP 1,000 with community service, escalating to arresto menor and PHP 100,000 for repeat or graver acts.
Online harassment: prision correccional and/or a fine of PHP 100,000 to PHP 500,000.
Employers and school heads who fail to act face fines of PHP 5,000 to PHP 15,000.

How I can help

Counsel on Safe Spaces Act matters.

I advise employers on compliant policies and committees on decorum, conduct workplace investigations, and represent complainants and respondents in administrative and criminal proceedings.

Request a consultation

This page is general information about Philippine law and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship.

Related laws

RA 9262