Women’s Group Deplores Increase in Rape Cases

Every two and a half hours, a woman is raped, according to government statistics. But, says the women’s alliance Gabriela, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo chooses to highlight high-profile cases such as drugs and tax scams, ignoring rape, sexual harassment and other cases of violence against women – cases that are closer to home for more than 70% of the poor.

By BULATLAT.COM

“There are no significant moves on the part of the government to respond to the situation,” observed Jovita Mataro-Montes of Gabriela’s Women’s Rights Department. 

Montes cited several recent cases: the alleged rape of four women student cadets by a male “junior officer” in Lyceum University last month; the reported rape of a physical therapist by the general manager of the five-star Dusit Hotel Nikko; and the sexual harassment and acts of lasciviousness case filed by Mariquit Soriano against Digital Telecommunications Philippines (DIGITEL) vice president and chief operating officer, Johnson Go. 

While government is slow to react on these cases, the militant women’s group noted how more women are now coming out to expose the violence they experience despite threats from the suspects and derision from relatives and the public. 

“Women victims of violence face double victimization when they act on their plight.  Court cases can become a painful ordeal for women because they are usually made to feel guilty and described as liars, insane, and troublemakers by their alleged aggressors.  This makes the first step of exposing the crime as a victory in itself,” Montes declared.

Calling on all women victims of violence to come out and seek assistance, Montes said, “We know that coming out is difficult especially when government support is absent. The presence of laws to protect women does not guarantee actual security for them.  Most of the time, these laws remain ‘toothless’ and inutile.  Thus, only through our own concerted efforts can we push the issue of violence against women,” Montes said.  Bulatlat.com

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