Hontiveros tells schools to comply with Bawal Bastos Law: Protect our kids from sexual harassment

By JOHN CARLO M. CAHINHINAN

Senator Risa Hontiveros has reminded school administrators in both public and private institutions to comply with Republic Act No. 11313 or better known as the “Bawal Bastos Law”

Hontiveros said schools “need to do better in protecting our children and young people from sexual harassment.”

The “Bawal Bastos Law” or officially listed as the Safe Spaces Act mandates all schools to act on reports of sexual harassment experienced by students.

Hontiveros’ reminder came after allegations of sexual misconduct and harassment towards students from teachers in several universities surfaced online.

“The Bawal Bastos Law mandates all schools at all levels to enact an anti-sexual harassment policy that will protect students and teachers alike from sexual harassment,” said Hontiveros.

Hontiveros, principal author of RA 11313, stressed that under the law, schools are mandated to “provide a safe and confidential mechanism” for the reporting and redress of grievances on matters of sexual and gender-based harassment.

“Hindi na nakakagulat na ang mga estudyanteng biktima ng sexual harassment ay napipilitang magsiwalat ng hinaing sa social media… oftentimes, when victims are dismissed by their own school heads, they turn to social media communities for support,” she said.

Hontiveros also called on school officials to put their students’ safety and welfare at top priority.

“Alam kong knee-jerk reaction kadalasan ang pagtakpan ang mga kaso at perpetrators ng sexual harassment para protektahan ang imahe ng school. Pero mali ito. Students’ safety and welfare should be our top priority,” she stressed.

“Perpetrators of sexual abuse, especially those in positions of power, should be punished and in some cases, turned over to the authorities,” Hontiveros added.

Meanwhile, Hontiveros urged the Department of Education (DepEd), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and the Philippine Commission on Women to perform their regulatory mandate in monitoring education institutions’ compliance with their obligations under the Bawal Bastos Law.

“Kapag may perennial lapses at non-compliance, dapat kasama ito sa pag-review ng kanilang license to operate,” she added.

Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)