Legal Resource · RA 9262

Anti-VAWC Act

Republic Act No. 9262 recognises abuse within intimate relationships as a public crime and gives survivors immediate, enforceable protection through the courts and barangay.

Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004

Protects women and their children from physical, sexual, psychological, and economic abuse committed by a spouse, partner, or person with whom they share a dating or sexual relationship.

Acts punished

Physical violence — bodily or physical harm inflicted on the woman or her child.
Sexual violence — rape, sexual harassment, coercion, and treating a woman or child as a sexual object.
Psychological violence — intimidation, harassment, stalking, public ridicule, repeated verbal abuse, marital infidelity, and denial of custody.
Economic abuse — withdrawal of financial support, controlling the victim's money, or destroying conjugal property.

Who is protected

A wife or former wife.
A woman with whom the offender has or had a sexual or dating relationship.
A woman with whom the offender has a common child.
The legitimate or illegitimate child of the woman, whether living with her or not, below 18 years old or older but incapable of self-care.

Protection orders

Barangay Protection Order (BPO) — issued by the Punong Barangay on the day of application, effective for 15 days.
Temporary Protection Order (TPO) — issued ex parte by the court within 24 hours of filing, effective for 30 days.
Permanent Protection Order (PPO) — issued after notice and hearing, effective until revoked by the court.
Reliefs may include eviction of the offender, custody of children, support, and a stay-away distance.

Penalties and consequences

What is at stake.

Penalties range from arresto mayor to prision mayor depending on the act committed.
Violation of a protection order is punished by a fine of PHP 5,000 to PHP 50,000 and/or imprisonment of six months.
The offender may also be ordered to pay damages and undergo mandatory psychological counselling.

How I can help

Counsel on Anti-VAWC Act matters.

I assist survivors in securing protection orders quickly, in preparing the criminal complaint, and in coordinating related custody and support actions. I also represent respondents facing allegations, ensuring that the record and the defence are properly built.

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 10175