SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
'13 
[lEe 11 
F? :3.0 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 201 7 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
While there appears to be sufficient legislation providing necessary 
assistance to victims of rape, these laws exclude victims of battery, harassment 
and other sexual and physical abuse. Because of this, society has become 
indifferent to the real plight that victims of such abuse undergo. Many continue to 
refuse to acknowledge the gravity of mental trauma caused by encountering such 
experiences. 
Based on the 2008 National Demographic and Health Survey conducted by 
the National Statistics Office, one out of five women aged 15-49 has experienced 
physical violence; 14.4% of married women have experienced physical abuse from 
their husbands; and 37% of separated. or· widowed women have experienced 
physical violence. 
According to an article issued by the Department of Social Welfare and 
Development (DSWD), there are 9,485 cases of domestic violence recorded by 
the Women and Children Protection Center of the Philippine National Police in 
2010. In 2011, the number of cases increased to 15,104 and in 2012 (January to 
August), some 12,948 cases were recorded. 
If the statistics prove accurate then there exist a dire need to expand the 
existing law against rape to cover assistance and protection to victims of battery, 
harassment and other form of physical and mental abuse. This proposed measure 
seeks to establish a Trauma Center which will aid victims in regaining their self-
esteem and confidence. 
In view of foregoing, passage of this bill is earnestly recommended. 
Y EJERCITO ESTRADA 
Senator 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
'13 
GEC 11 
[l2 :30 
.. 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 20 + 
7 
. 1U.:n.:IVF.ll BY: .~ 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8505, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "RAPE 
VICTIM ASSISTANCE AND PROTECTION ACT OF 1998" 
Be enacted by the Senate and House of Representative of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Section 1 of the Republic Act No. 8505 is hereby amended to 
read as follows: 
"Section 1. 
Title. This Act shall be known as the 
"[Rape Victim Assistance and Protection Act of 1998] 
TRAUMA CENTER ACT." 
SEC. 2. Section 2 of Republic Act No. 8505 is hereby amended to read as 
follows: 
"Section 2. 
Declaration of Policy. 
It is 
hereby 
declared the Policy· of the state to provide necessary 
assistance and protection for [rape] victims. [.] OF RAPE, 
BATTERY, HARASSMENT, AND OTHER FORMS OF 
SEXUAL AND PHYSICAL ABUSE. Towards this end. the 
government shall coordinate its various agencies and non-
government organizations to work hard in hand for the 
establishment and operation of a [rape crisis] TRAUMA 
center in every province [and]. city AND MUNICIPAL that 
shall assist and protect [rape victims] 
[.] 
of 
RAPE, 
BATTERY HARASSMENT, AND OTHER FORMS OF 
SEXUAL AND PHYSICAL· ABUSE in the litigation of their 
cases and their recovery." 
SEC. 3. Section 3 of the Republic Act No. 8505 is hereby amended to read 
as follows: 
"Section 3. 
[Rape Crisis] TRAUMA Center. The 
Department 
of Social 
Welfare 
and 
Development 
(DSWD). 
The Department pf Health 
(DOH). 
the 
Department of the Interior and Local Government 
(DILG), the Department of Justice (DOJ). and a lead 


non-government organization (NGO) with proven track 
record, or experience in handling sexual and PHYSICAL 
ABUSE CASES, shall establish in every province, city 
AND MUNICIPALITY a [Rape Crisis] TRAUMA Center 
located in a government hospital or health clinic or in 
any other suitable place for the purpose of: 
a) Providing [rape] victims of RAPE, BATTERY 
HARASSMENT, AND OTHER FORMS OF SEXUAL 
OR PHYSICAL ABUSE with Psychological counseling, 
medical and health services, including their medico-
legal examinations; 
b) 
Securing free legal assistance or service, when 
necessary 
for 
[rape] 
victims 
of 
RAPE, 
BATTERY 
HARASSMENT AND OTHER FORMS OF SEXUAL OR 
PHYSICAL ABUSE; 
c) 
Assisting [rape] victims of RAPE, BATTERY 
HARASSMENT AND OTHER FORMS OF SEXUAL OR 
PHYSICAL ABUSE; 
d) 
Ensuring the privacy and safety of [rape] 
victims of RAPE, BATTERY HARASSMENT, AND OTHER 
FORMS OF SEXUAL OR PHYSICAL ABUSE; 
e) 
Providing 
psychological 
counseling 
and 
medical services whenever necessary for the family of [rape] 
victims of RAPE, BATTERY HARASSMENT AND OTHER 
FORMS OF SEXUAL OR PHYSICAL ABUSE; 
f) 
Developing and undertaking a training program 
for law enforcement officers, public prosecutors, lawyers, 
medico-legal officers, PSYCHOLOGIST, social workers, and 
barangay officials on human rights and responsibilities; 
gender sensibility and legal management of rape, BATTERY 
HARASSMENT, AND OTHER FORMS OF SEXUAL OF 
PHYSICAL 
ABUSE 
cases. . PARTICULARLY 
THOSE 
COMITTED AGAINTS CHILDREN; and 
g) 
Adopting and implementing programs for the 
recovery 
of 
[rape) 
victims 
of 
RAPE, 
BATTERY 
HARASSMENT, AND OTHER FORMS OF SEXUAL OR 
PHYSICAL ABUSE; 
The DSWD shall be the lead agency in the 
establishment and operation of the [Rape Crisis) TRAUMA 
CENTER" 
SEC. 4. Section 4 of the Republic Act No. 8505 is hereby amended to read 
as follows: 
"Section 4. Duty of the Police Officer. 
Upon receipt 
by the police of the complaint for rape, BATTERY, 


HARASSMENT AND OTHER FORMS OF SEXUAL OR 
PHYSICAL ABUSE, it shall be duty of the police officer to: 
a) 
Immediately refer the case to the prosecutor 
for 
inquest/investigation 
if the 
accused 
is 
detained; 
otherwise, the rules of court shall apply; 
b) 
Arrange for counseling and medical services 
for the offended party; and 
c) 
Immediately make report on the action taken. 
It shall be the duty of the police officer of the 
examining physician, who must be of the same gender as 
the offended party, to ensure that only persons expressly 
authorized by offended party shall be allowed inside the 
room where the investigation or medical or physical 
examination is being conducted. 
For the purpose, a women's AND CHILDREN's desk 
must be established in every police precinct throughout the 
country to provide a GENDER-SENSITIVE police woman to 
conduct investigation of or of his/her reputation shall not be 
admitted unless,and only to the extent that court finds, that 
such evidence is material and relevant to the case." 
SEC. 5. Section 7 or the Republic Act No. 8505 is hereby amended to read 
as follows: 
"Section 7. 
Appropriations. For the establishment 
and operation of the [rape crisis] TRAUMA centers during 
the first year of implementation of this Act, the amount of 
One Hundred Twenty Million Pesos (P120,000,000.00) shall 
be charged against the Organizational Adjustment Fund, as 
follows: Sixty Million Pesos (p60,000,OOO.00) for the DSWD; 
and Twenty Million Pesos (P20,000,000.00) each for the 
DOH, 
DILG, 
and 
DOH 
respectively. 
Thereafter, 
the 
necessary amount for the [rape crisis] TRAUMA centers 
shall be included in the· budgetary allocations for the 
agencies concerned in the annual General Appropriations 
Act" 
SEC. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. Within ninety (90) days 
from the approval of this Act, all concerned agencies shall review, revise, amend, 
or modify the existing rules and regulations as may be necessary for the proper 
implementation thereof. 
SEC. 7. Separability Clause. 
If any part, section or provision of this Act 
is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the parts thereof not affected thereby shall 
remain valid. 


SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. All laws, acts, presidential decrees, executive 
orders, administrative orders, rules and regulations inconsistent with or contrary to 
the provisions of this Act deemed amended, modified or repealed accordingly. 
SEC. 9. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (i5) days after 
publication in at least two (2) newspaper of general circulation. 
Approved,