Bawal Bastos Law RA No. 11313, or The Safe Spaces Act

 

Bawal Bastos Law. 

The Republic Act No. 11313, or The Safe Spaces Act (Bawal Bastos Law), covers all forms of gender-based sexual harassment (GBSH) committed in public spaces, educational or training institutions, the workplace, and online spaces.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿-𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝗲𝘅𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 are committed through any unwanted and uninvited sexual actions or remarks against any person 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 for committing such action or remarks.  

This law, while being closely related to Republic Act 7877 [or the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995], expands the meaning of ‘safe spaces’.

The new law also [expands] the meaning of sexual harassment and who can be considered an offender. While the former law limited the definition of offenders to authority figures (abuse of authority), the present law (Bawal Bastos Law) recognises that [anyone] can be an offender. 

Republic Act No. 11313, also known as the Safe Spaces Act or "Bawal Bastos Law," addresses various forms of gender-based sexual harassment (GBSH) in public spaces, workplaces, educational institutions, and online. The law prescribes specific penalties for different types of offenses to ensure protection and promote a respectful environment.

Penalties for Gender-Based Sexual Harassment:

In Streets and Public Spaces:

1. First-degree offenses (e.g., catcalling, wolf-whistling, cursing, intrusive gazing):

   - First offense: ₱1,000 fine and 12 hours of community service including a Gender Sensitivity Seminar.

   - Second offense: ₱3,000 fine or arresto menor (6-10 days imprisonment).

   - Third offense: ₱10,000 fine or arresto menor (11-30 days imprisonment).

2. Second-degree offenses (e.g., offensive body gestures, public masturbation, groping):

   - First offense: ₱10,000 fine and 12 hours of community service.

   - Second offense: ₱15,000 fine or arresto menor (11-30 days imprisonment).

   - Third offense: ₱20,000 fine or arresto mayor (1 month and 1 day to 6 months imprisonment).

3. Third-degree offenses (e.g., stalking, touching, pinching):

   - First offense: ₱30,000 fine or arresto menor (11-30 days imprisonment). 

   - Second offense: ₱50,000 fine or arresto mayor (1 month and 1 day to 6 months imprisonment).

   - Third offense: ₱100,000 fine or arresto mayor (maximum period).

 Online Sexual Harassment:

- Penalty: Prision correccional in its medium period (6 months and 1 day to 2 years and 4 months imprisonment) or a fine between ₱100,000 and ₱500,000, or both, at the court's discretion.

 In Workplaces and Educational Institutions:

- Penalties: Administrative penalties set by the employer's Committee on Decorum and Investigation (CODI), in addition to applicable civil and criminal penalties. Employers and school heads who fail to implement the Act's provisions may face fines between ₱5,000 and ₱15,000.

Local government units, the Philippine National Police (PNP), and other relevant authorities are responsible for enforcing the law and handling complaints. The PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group specifically manages online harassment cases.

Read more 🔗 𝗥𝗔 11313 (𝗦𝗔𝗙𝗘 𝗦𝗣𝗔𝗖𝗘𝗦 𝗔𝗖𝗧) 

https://lodpost.com/explainer-salient-features-of-the-safe-spaces-act-or-bawal-bastos-law-ra-11313-9334