The DILG researchers, however, noted that many of the respondents had expressed fears that any admission of abuse by their jailers may bring on additional charges or jeopardize their chances of an early release. In fact, at least 25 more women prisoners or another six percent who would not admit to any direct knowledge of sexual abuse said they were aware that sexual harassment was happening inside prison. Jail officials admit that having to contend with male superiors in a predominantly male institution hinders women from speaking out. Women activists like to say that rape, sexual abuse and harassment are all about the power men wield over women. This gets magnified even more in the prison context.
Victims are helpless to do anything about the situation.
Sexual abuse of women prisoners is not a recent occurrence. In the martial law years, many women detained for rebellion or subversion suffered molestation, if not rape, in the hands of their military jailers. When Corazon Aquino became president, however, there was a move to instill respect for human rights among government personnel. In the country's prison system, that change was reflected in its reorientation from one of punishment of prisoners to a more humane treatment that emphasized rehabilitation and reform. But while some improvements have been implemented in many prisons, the changes have come slower for women inmates.