kepoic of ihe Priliopines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:
‘Quezon City

CONGRESS
Regular Session

COMMITTEE REPORT NO.

sy ne Comgipe s & GereEayon—_1OMA 202
Re: Howe BING. AY
Recommending tls ag}

fun of House Bill Nos. 3447, 3148, 315t. 3333 &

3, angehea M, Amante-Matba. Maria isabsite G.

Cimace f ique iecson-Noel, tuzviminda C. llagon and Lani
Marcado-Rev'

My. Speaker.

The Commitee on Wormer. § ¢ at Equality to which were refered House Bill
No. 3148 introduced by Representative Ruben B. Ecieo. Jr, entitled:

"AN ACT
VIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENTS. OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF A

MEN'S CENTER IN THE PROVINCE OF DINAGAT ISLANDS, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES.”

House Bil No. 3151 infroduced 5. Representative Ruben 8. Ecleo, Jr, entitled:

"AN ACT
LOPMENT AND CRISIS ASSISTANCE CENTERS FOR
{EVERY PROVINCE AND CITY OF THE PHILIPPINES,
3R_AND OTHER PURPOSES.”

ESTABLISHING RESOURCE
WOMEN AND CHILDRE
APPROPRIATING £

House 3il No. 3433 introduces by Representatives Rufus B, Rocriguez & Maximo B.
Rodriguez. Jr. enditied:

“AN ACT

DAv CARE AND WOMEN'S SUPPORT CENTER iN EVERY
ER PURPG SES."

ESTASLISHING A BARANG,
BARANGAY AND FOR O7H'

House Bil No. 3447 ir
Maria Isabelie G. Cilmace.
entitied:

Zepresentatives Ma. Angelica M. Amante-Matba.
eC. llagan & Reena Concepcion G. Obillo

"AN ACT
NG. BSUS, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "RAPE VICTIM
q F 1996" AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.”

AMENDING REPLALIC AC
ASSISTANCE AND PROTEC

ond


House di No_3960 introducca by Representative Abigail Faye C. Ferriol, entitled:

“aN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMEN! OF & ER FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN iN EVERY CITY
N THE NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION AND ‘N EVERY PROVINCE IN THE PHILIPPINES,”

6155

entitled:

has considera the same and recommends that the attached House Bill No.

An Act

Fotablishing Resource Development aad Cr ce Centers for Wornen and Children tn Every
ravnce and City of the Country, &r the Purpose Republic Act No. 8505, Otherwise
Known as the “Rape Victim Assistance and Preteccion Act of 1998”

Bil N
ia isabel

. 3148, 3333, 3151, 3447 & 3950 with Representatives
G. Climace. Ruben B. Ecleo, ir. Rufus B. Rodrigue,
J, Luzviminda C. flagan, Reena Concepcion G. Obilio,

te approved in substitution of Haus:
Ma Angelica Ml Amante-Mathe,
Maximo 8. Rodrigues, Ir., Abigat Faye G
ans Winnie 7. Castelo as authors tiieraa!

Respectivity

THE HONGRABLE SPEAKER
HG JSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
QUEZON CITY



Nowe wn

10
41
12
13
4
45
16

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon Cicy

15" Congress
Second Regular Session

5155
House Bil! no,_SL5S
{in substitution of House Bill Nos. 3447, 3148, 3151, 3333 & 3950)

Introduced by Representatives Ma. Angelica M_Amante-Matba, Maria Isabelle G. Cl maco, Ruben 8.
Ecieo,Jr, Rufus B. Rodriguez, Maximo @. Rodriguez, Jr., Aoigail Faye G. Ferriol, Luzviminda C. liagan,
Reena Concepcion G. Obilfo, and Winnie T. Castelo

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT AND CRISIS ASSISTANCE CENTERS FOR WOMEN AND
CHILDREN IN EVERY PROVINCE AND CITY OF THE COUNTRY, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8505, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “RAPE VICTIM ASSISTANCE AND
PROTECTION ACT OF 1998”

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Cangress assem €6:

SECTION 1. Section 1 of Republic Act No, 8505 shall be amended to read 2s follows:

“SECTION 1. Title. — This Act shalt be know2 as the [Rape Victim Assistance and Protection
Act of 1998] RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT AND CKISIS ASSISTANCE FOR WOMEN AND
CHILDREN ACT OF 2012”

SEC. 2. Section 2 of the same Act is hereby aisc amended to read as follows:

“SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is nereby declared the policy of the State to ipravide
necessary assistance and protection for rape victims} TO VALUE THE DIGNITY OF WCMEN
AND CHILDREN, DEFEND THEIR RIGHTS, AND 3ECOGNIZE THEIR ROLE IN NATION-BUILDING
AND ALL OTHER IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO PROTECT T4Et¥.
TowardS this end, the {government sha'l coordinate ts various agencies and non-
government arganizations to work hand in hand for the establishment ans operatios of 3
rape crisis center in every province and city that shalt assist and protect rape victims in the
litigation of their cases and their recavery.] STATE SHALi ENSURE THE PROTECTION OF “HEIR
FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS AND SHALL P2OVIDE THEM Wiird FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES


1 THAT Wat ENHANCE THEIR WELFARE ANO CNABLE THEM TQ REAUZE THEIR 7.
2 POTENTIALS IN THE SERVICE OF THE NATION, THE STATE SHALL ALSO <NDEAVOR TO
3 PROVIDE WOMEN AND CHILDREN WITH UTMOST SUPPORT AND ASSISTANCE WHICH SHALL
4 CLUDE AMONG OTHERS, LEGAL SERVICES LIVELHOOD AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT,
5 PSYCHO.OGICAL COUNSELLNG AND ALL OTHER ASSISTANCE NECESSARY TO PROTECT THEM
6 AGAINS: ALL FORMS OF NEGLECT, ABUSE, CRULLTY, EXPLOITATION AND OTHER ACTS
7 PREIUDICIAL TO 14EIR WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT.

8
9 SFC. 3. Section 3 of the same Act is likewise amended to read as follows:

10 3. [Rope} RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT ANDO Crisis ASSISTANCE Centers. — [The
1 Department of Social Welfare and Development {OSWO), the Department ef Health (DOH).
12 the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DiLG}, the Department of Justice

13 (204), and a lead non-government arganization {NGO} with proven track record o°
14 experience in handling sexual abuse casas, shall establish in every province and city a rape
18 ensis center igcated in 2 government hespital or health clinic or in any other suitable place

16 for the purpose of
7
18 {a} Providing rape victims psychological counseling, medical and health services,
19 including their medico-legal examination;

20

2 {b) Securing free legal assistance of service, when necessary, for rape victims;

22

23 {c) Assisting rape victims in the investigation to hasten the arrest of offenders and the filing

24 of cases in court;

25

26 {d) Ensuring the privacy and safety of rape victims;

7

28 12) Providing psychological counseling and medical services when necessary for the fami'y of

2 rape victims;

30

31 {#) Developing and undertaking a traming program for Jaw enforcement officers, pubtic

32 prosecutors, lawyers, medico-iegal officers, social workers, and barangay o“ficials on human

33 rights and responsibilities; gender sensitivity and legal management of rape cases; and

a !

36 {g) Adopting and implementing programs fer she recovery af rape vict ms.

36

7 The DSWD shall be the lead agency in the cstadlishment and operation of the Rape Crisis
38 Center.)

39


ZS 0e@+ mmr OW

12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
2
27
28
29
3
31

32
33

35

THERE SHALL BE ESTABLISHED RESQURCE DEVELOPMENT ANC CRISIS ASSISTANCE
CENTERS FOR WOMEN AND CH.LOREN IN EVERY PROVINCE AND CI"Y OF THE COUNTRY,
HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AS THE “CENTERS.” THESE CENTERS SHALL BE LDCR THE
MANAGEMENT AND SUPERVISION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WFLFARE AND
OLVELOPMEN? (DSWD) IN CONSU.TATION WITS CONCERNED LOCAL GOVERNMV2NT UNITS
(Gus)

A. COMPOSITION OF THE INTS
COUNCH. =

AGENCY COUNCIL TO BE KNOWN AS THE ADVISCRY

AN INTER-AGENCY COUNC: S4ALL BE CONVENED 10 SET THE CRITERIA FOR THE
SELECTION OF THE SITES OF THE CENTERS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY TAK-NG INTO
CONSIDERATION THE EXISTING FACILITIES OF THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT AND LGUs,
NON-GOVERNMENT AND RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE
GOVERNMENT. THE COUNCI SHALL BE COMPOSED OF AUTHORIZED REPRES:NTATIVES

FROM THE DSWD, DILG, DOH, DOJ, JEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY (DTH),
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (DEPED}, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT (DOLE),
NATIONAL ECONOMIC AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (NEDA), PHILIPP.NE COMMISSION
ON WOMEN {PCW}, NATIONAL YOUTH COMMISSION (NYC), TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND
‘SKILLS DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY (TESDA), WOMEN AND CHILDREN CONCERNS Div'SION OF
THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE (PNP/WCCO), THE COMMISSION ON HIGHER E2UCATION
(CHED) AND NON-GOVERNMENT AND PEOPLE'S ORGANIZATIONS DULY ACCREDITED BY
NATIONAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, SHALL BE INCLUDED AS MEMBERS OF ADVISORY
COUNCIL. THE INTER-AGENCY COUNCIL, CULY CHAIRED BY THE DSWD, SHALL ALSO ACT AS
AN ADVISORY COUNCIL TO OVERSEE THE EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CENTERS’
PROGRAMS.

B. FUNCTIONS OF THE CENTERS. -
THE CENTERS SHALL HAVE THE FOLLOWING FUNCTIONS TO ENSURE
COMPREHENSIVE AND INTEGRATED SERVICES:

1, TO SERVE AS THE VENUE FOR CONSCIOUSNESS-RAISING, CAPABILITY-3UILDING
AND FUNCTIONAL LITERACY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAMS, AMONG OTHERS, THAT
WILL ENHANCE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF ISSUES AND PROMOTE COMMUNITY
PARTICIPATION;

2. TO UNDERTAKE PROGRAMS GEARED TOWARDS THE EVELOPMIENT OF
MATERNAL AND CHRD hEALTH CARE, SELF-LNHANCEMENT AND THE


COV ANEwHNH

10

12
3
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
a7
28
29
30
HM
32
33

35
36
7
38
39
40

at

c

10.

"1

DEVELOPMENT OF SKILLS FOR LIVELIHOOD GENERATION, — SOCIAL
COMMUNICATION, AND OTHER RELATED SKILLS WHICH WILL HELP WOMEN AND
CHILDREN TO BECOME PRODUCTIVE MEMBERS OF SOCIETY:

TO PROVIDE FREE LEGAL SERVICES, MEDICAL ASSISTANCE INCLUDING MECICO-
LEGAL EXAMINATIONS AND PSYCHO"OGICA: COUNSELLING TO VICTIMS OF RAPE
AND OTHER CASES OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND CHILDREN ENSUR.NG
THEIR PRIVACY AND SAFETY;

TO UNDERTAKE ACTIVITIES RELATED TO MORAL RECOVERY AND GENDER
SENSITIVE VALUE FORMATION, COUNSELING, REHABILITATION AND PSYCHO-
SOCIAL PROGRAMS;

10 PROVIDE TEMPORARY SHELTER TO ABUSED WOMEN AND T4EIR CHILDREN;
TO ASSIST RAPE VICTIMS OR VICTIMS OF OTHER FORMS OF ABUSES IN THE
INVESTIGATION TO HASTEN THE ARREST OF OFFENDERS AND THE FILING OF
CASES IN COURT;

TO PROVIDE PSYCHOLOGICAL COUNSELING AND MEDICAL SERVICES WrtEN
NECESSARY FOR THE FAMILY OF RAPE VICTIMS OR VICTIMS OF OTHER FORMS OF
ABUSES;

TO PROVIDE SKILLS TRAINING O3 LIVELIHOOD ASSISTANCE TO SURVIVORS OF
VIOLENCE;

TO STRENGTHEN AND FACILITATE LINKAGES OF WOMEN’S AND CHILDREN’S
GROUPS AND ORGAN:ZATIONS WITH RELEVANT GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UN‘TS TO MAXIMIZE THE DELIVERY OF BASIC AND
SUPPORT SERVICES FOR WOMEN AND CHHDREN AND ADVCCATE FOR THE
PROTECTION AND ADVANCEMENT OF THEIR RIGHTS;

JO DEVELOP AND UNDERTAKE A CONTINUING CAPACITY-BUILDING AND
TRAINING PROGRAM FOR FRONTLINE SERVICE PROVIDERS INCLUDING BUT NOT
LIMITED TO, LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, PUBLIC PROSECUTORS, LAWYERS,
MEDICO-LEGAL OFFICERS, PSYCHOLOGISTS, DEVELOPMENT WORKERS, SOCIAL
WORKERS, HEALTH WORKERS, THERAPISTS AND BARANGAY OF=IC:ALS ON
HUMAN RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILTIES; GENDER SENSITIVITY AND LEGAL/CASE
MANAGEMENT OF SITUATIONS/CASES INVOLVING WOMEN AND CHILDREN; AND
TO PERFORM SUCH OTHER FUNCTIONS AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO CARRY OUT
THE GBIECTAVES OF THIS ACT.

CLIENTS OF THE CENTERS —

ALL WOMEN AND CHILDREN UNDER THE FOLLO\

1G CIRCUMSTANCES SHA.L BE

ENTITLED TO PROTECTION AND ASSISTANCE BY THE CENTER:

1

3.

VICTIMS OF PROSTITUTION AND SEXUAL EXPLOITATION;

2. VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, ABLISE AND BATTERY ;

VICTIMS OF RAPE, INCEST, SEXUAL ABUSE, HARASSMENT OR MOLESTATION,


ok ow

o

4 VICTIMS OF ii

GAL RECRUITMENT, TRAFFICKING AND/OR LABOR EXPLOITATION
S  VICTHAS GF ARMED CONFUCT, WATU!

1@ ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTERS WHO ARE
SUFFEKING FROM TRAUMA DIVE TO THE TRAGIC DEATH OR DISPLACEMENT OF

FAMILY MLMAERS, DISLOCATION OR LOSS GF LIVELIHOOD;

ABANDONED ANE: RUN-AWAY WOMEN AND CHILDREN;

WOMEN AND CHILOREN IN DETENTION;

VICTIMS OF ANY FORM OF VIOLENCE AND SUFFERING FROM ANY CRISIS SITUATION;

oanrne

VICHMS SUFFERING FROM MENTAL, EMOTIONAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL AND PHYSICAL
DISABILITIES NEEDING SPECIAL. SUPPORT AND ASSISTANCE; AND
40 VICTIMS OF OTHER ClACUMSTANCES AS MAY BE DETERMINED BY THE DSWO.

PERSONNEL/STAFF COMPLEMENT OF THE CENTERS —

EACH CENTER SHALL BE HEADED BY A FEMALE DIRECTOR WHO HOLDS A BACHELOR'S.
DEGREE IN SOCIAL WORK GR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT OR SIMILAR COURSES, HAS A
MINIMUM EXPGRIENCE OF HVE (5) YLARS IN COUNSELLING, SOCIAL AND
PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES AND OTHER RELATED FIELD OR EXPERIENCE, AND POSSESSES
A PROVEN TRACK RECORD AS AN ADVOCATE OF WOMEN’S ISSUES AND EXPERTISE IN
GENDER-RESPONSIVE TRAININGS AND PROGRAMS FOR CAPABILITY-BUILDING AND (S OF
GOOD MORAL CHARACTER

THE SECRETARY OF THE OSWD, IN CONSLTATION WITH THE HEADS OF THE
CONCERNED LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT SHALL APPOINT THE DIRECTOR AND OTHER
NECESSARY PERSONNEL OF THE CENTER. THE STAFF COMPLEMENT OF THE CENTER
SHALL BE SU8/ECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET ANO
MANAGEMENT.

VOLUNTEERS FROM THE VARIOUS NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS MAY
EXTEND PROFESSIONAL, HOUSEHOLD, RECREATIONAL, AND TRAINING EXPERTISE TO
THE CENTER, STUDENTS Oi SOCIAL WORK AND WOMEN STUDIES ANO OTHER RELATED
PROGRAMS WHO ARE iN PRACTICUM COURSES MAY RENDER VOLUNTARY SERVICES TO
THE CENTER, THE PERSONNEL AND STAFF AS WELL AS VOLUNTEER WORKERS SHALL
UNDERGO REGULAR TRAININGS GN HOW 8€S7 TO HANDLE THE DIFFERENT SITUATIONS
OF THE BENEFICIARIES OF THE CENTERS. :


OAR TRONS

= aw

TSRESS

RVses

VPN wee e enna ee
8

»
RB

3

28

SEC 4. RA 8505 is hereby further artendud by inserting the following new Sections after Sec. 3
thersof:

SEC. 4. REHABILITATION AND CEVELOPIAENT PROGRAM. ~ THE DSWD IN CONSULTATION
With THE INTERAGENCY COUNCIL CONVENED UNDER SECTION 3 (A) HEREOF, SHALL
WITHIN SiX (6] MONTHS FROM THE APPROVAL OF THIS ACT, FORMULATE A PROGRAM FOR
THE RETABILITATIGN, DEVELOPMENT AND PROTECTION OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN,
MENTIONED Iv SECTION 3{8) HEREOF. THE COUNCIL SHALL ALSO OVERSEE THE EFFECTIVE
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE FROGRAMS OF THE CENTER AND MONITOR THE
ACCOMPLISHMEMTS OF PART ING AGENCIES. iT SHALL ALSO ACT AS AN ADVISORY
CARD,

THE DSWD MAY CALL ON NATIONAL AGENCIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS,
ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS AND sNTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS TO ASSIST IN. THE
IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS ACT BY WAY OF PROGRAM COLLABORATION AND FUNDING
AUGMENTATION, AMONG OTHERS

SEC. 5. AUTHORNY FO ACCEPT DONATIONS, - THE DSW, THROUGH THE PRESIDENT OF
THE PHILIPPINES, MAY ACCEPT DONATIONS AND GRANTS, BOTH DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN
FOR PURPOSES RELEVANT TO THE FUNCTIONS OF THE CENTERS. THE DONATIONS AND
GRANTS SHALL BE ALLOTTFD 79 THE VARIGUS CENTERS IN SUCH AMOUNT AS MAY BE
SEEMED SEST BY THE DSWD OR FOR THE PURPOSES SPECIFIED BY THE DONOR. SUCH
DONATIONS ANG GRANTS SHAL. SE SUQJECT TO PERTINENT ACCOUNTING AND AUDITING
ULES AND REGULATIONS.

SEC. 5 Sections 4, 5 and 6 of RA BSUS are Aereby renumbered accordingly as Sections 6, 7 and 8,
SEC Sections 7 and 8 of RA 8505 are hereby deleted

SEC 7. APPROPRIATIONS. . The mount necessary tor the implementation of this Act shall be
incluged i= the budget cf the DSW under the Annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC 8. IMPLEMENTING RULES AND RESULAT:ONS, ~ Within ninety {90} days ugon the approval of
this Act, the ISWD and ail conce-ned sgences shall formulate rules and cegulations 3s may
be necessary for the proper iinplementation thereof.

9. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE. — if 2ay part, se

Nn Gr pravision of this act is dectared invaiid or

eacunstitutionsl, the other parts tiereof not affected thereby shall remain valid.


NOaRWN +

RENT GOH

SEC. 10, REPEALING CLAUSE. — All laws, acts, presidential decrees, executive crders, admir.strative
orders, rales and regulations incons.stent with or contrary to the provisions of this Act are
deemed amended, modified or repezled accord:ngly.

SEC. 11. ERFECTIVITY. — ‘This act stali take effect fifteen {15} days after the complet.on of its
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of generat circulation

Approved,

satya
pe02s2


FACT SHEET
House aino. 8155
{ln Substitution of House Bil! Nos. 3447, 3148, 3149, 3151 & 3333)

AN ACT AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8505, OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS THE ‘RAPE VICTIM ASSISTANCE AND PROTECTION
ACT OF 1998’ AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Introduced by: REPRESENTATIVES MA. ANGELICA M. AMANTE-MATBA, MARIA
ISABELLE @, CLIMACO, RUBEN BURAY ECLEO, JR., RUFUS: BAUTISTA
RODRIGUEZ, MAXIMO B. RODRIGUEZ, JR, LUZVIMINDA C. ILAGAN & REENA
CONCEPCION G, OBLLO

Committee Referral: COMMITTEE ON WOMEN & GENDER EQUALITY
Committee Chairpersan: REP. MA. ANGELICA M. AMANTE-MATBA

OBJECTIVE:

+ To provide assistance to woman in onsis not merely to rape victims, but to
other victims of unfortunate circumstances 35 weil,

KEY PROVISIONS:

* Establishes in-every province and city of the country resource development
and crisis assistance canters for women and children under the management
and supervision of the Department of Social Welfare and Development
{DSWOD) in consultation with concemed focal government units;

* Convenes an inter-agency council, chaired by the DSWD, to set the criteria
for the seiection of the sites of the centers all over the country. The Council
shail be composed of authorized representatives from the DILG,DOH, DTI,
DepED, CHED, TESDA, DOLE, DOJ, NEDA, Philippine Commission on
Women (PCW), NYC, PNP Women & Chidren, Protection Desk and noa-
government and people's organizations duly accredited by national
government agencies,

* Entities all women anid children undar the following to protection and
assisiance by the center.

victims of prostitution anc sexual expioitation;

victims of domestic violence, abuse and battery’

victims of rape, incest, sexual abuse, harassment or molestation:

victims of iltagal recruitment, trafficking and/or labor exploitation;

victimes of armed conflict, natural or environmental disasters who are
suffering from trauma due fo the tragic death or displacement of famity
members, disiocation or loss of livelihood,

. abandoned and run-away women and children;

 wemen and children in detention,

victims of any form of violence and suffering from any crisis situation,
victims suffering from mental, emotional, psychological and physicat
disabilities needing special support and assistance; and

40. victims of other circumstances as may be determined by the DSWD;

© Ensures comprehensive and integrated services offered by the Centers which
shall have the foliowing functions:

geene

COND


41.

to serve as the venue for consciousness-raising, capability-building
and functional literacy enhancement programs, among others, that
will enhance public awareness of issues and promote community
participation;

to undertake proyrams geared towards the development of matemal
and child health care, self-enhancement and the development of
skills for hvelihood generation, social communication, and other
related skills which will help women and children to become
productive members of society,

to provide free legal services, medical assistance including madico-
begat examinations and psychological counselling to victims of rape.
and other cases of violence against women and children ensuring
their privacy and safety;

to undertake activities related to moral recovery and gender
sensitive value formation, counseling, rehabilitation and psycho-
social programs;

to provide temporary shelter to abused women and their children,

to assist rape victims or victims of other forms of abuses in the
investigation to hasten the arrest of offenders and the filing of cases.
in court,

fo provide psychological counseling and medical services when
necessary for the family of rape victims or victims of other forms of
abuses;

to provide skills training or livelihood assistance to survivors of
violence,

to strengthen and facilitate linkages of women’s and chikiren’s
groups and organizations with relevant government agencies and
local government units to maximize the delivery of basic and support
services for women and children and advocate for the protection and
advancement of their rights;

to develop and undertake a continuing capacity-building and training
program for frontline service providers including but not limited to;
law enforcement officers, public prosecutors, lawyers, medico-legal
Officers, psychologists, development workers, social workers, health
workers, therapists and barangay officials on human rights and
responsibilities; gender sensitivity and legal/case management of
situations/cases involving women and children, and

to perform such other functions as may be necessary to carry out the
objectives of this act;

Authorizes the DSWD, through the President of the Philippines, to accept
donations and grants, both domestic and foreign for purposes relevant to the

functions of the centers.

RELATED LAWS:

.

Republic Act No. 8505 (Rape Victim Assistance And Protection Act Of 1998)
Republic Act 9710 (Magna Carta of Women)