Laws Affecting Women and Children

PSUPT KIRBY JOHN B KRAFT, PESE Chief Of Police, San Pedro Laguna

Republic Act 8551, otherwise known as the PNP Reform and Reorganization Act of 1998, in its Title VII, sets the framework of the PNP in providing services to VAWC clients. Section 57. Creation and Functions. The PNP shall establish womens desk in all police stations throughout the country to administer and attend to cases involving crimes against chastity, sexual harassment, abuses committed against women and children and other similar offenders: Provided, that municipalities and cities presently without policewomen will have two (2) years upon the affectivity of this Act within which to comply with the requirement of this provision. Section 58. Prioritization of Women for Recruitment . Within the next five (5) years, the PNP shall prioritize the recruitment and training of women who shall serve in the womens desk. Pursuant to this requirement, the PNP shall reserve ten percent (10%) of its annual recruitment , training, and education quota for women. Section 59. Gender Sensitivity Program. The (National Police Commission shall formulate a gender sensitivity program within ninety (90) days from the affectivity of this Act to include but not limited to the establishment of equal opportunities for women in the PNP, the prevention of sexual harassment in the workplace, and the prohibition of discrimination on the basis of gender or sexual orientation.

Anti-Child Abuse Law

(Republic Act No.7610)

Republic Act No. 7610

Who is a child?
CHILD refers to
a person below 18 years old or person over 18 years old but is unable to fully take care of or protect himself or herself because of a physical or mental disability or condition.

Republic Act No. 7610

The Law provides for special protection to children from all forms of : abuse neglect cruelty exploitation discrimination other conditions prejudicial to their development

Republic Act No. 7610

Three Categories of Child Abuse are Penalized:

Child Trafficking

Child Prostitution and other Sexual Abuse

Child Pornography

Republic Act No. 7610

Child Prostitution

The child engaged in prostitution are considered VICTIMS

Those punished are the ones who

abused the child in prostitution or derived profit from it

Republic Act No. 7610

Child Trafficking The act of buying and selling of a child for money, or for any other consideration
T R A F F I C K I N G

CHILD

Buying/Selling a child

+
Money/ Consideration

Republic Act No. 7610

Child Pornography

(Obscene Publications and Indecent Shows)

Punishes any person who shall use, persuade, or force a child to :

perform indecent shows/exhibitions in live or video

pose or model in pornographic materials

Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 (Republic Act No.9208)

The Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act (R.A. 9208)

What is trafficking in persons?

ACTS Recruitment, Transportation, Transfer, Harboring, Receipt MEANS Threat, Force, Fraud, Deception, Abuse of power or position, Taking advantage of the vulnerability of the person, Giving or receiving of payments to achieve consent of person in control Exploitation:

Prostitution Sexual Exploitation Forced Labor Slavery Debt Bondage Involuntary Servitude Removal or Sale of Organs

The Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act (R.A. 9208)

Punishable Acts
Acts of Trafficking Acts that Promote Trafficking Qualified Trafficking Violation of confidentiality Use of Trafficked Person

The Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act (R.A. 9208)

Trafficking of a child is qualified

trafficking

Acts + Means + Purpose

= Trafficking in
Persons

The Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act (R.A. 9208)

Trafficking of a child is qualified

trafficking

Acts + Means + Purpose

Child = Trafficking

ACT/S
Recruitment Transportation Transfer Harboring Receipt of person; with or without the victims consent or knowledge; within or across national borders

MEANS

Threat or use of force, or other forms of coercion Abduction Fraud Deception Abuse of power or of position Taking advantage of the vulnerability of a person The giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person.

EXPLOITATIVE PURPOSE

Prostitution or other forms of sexual exploitation Pornography Forced labor or services Slavery Involuntary Servitude or debt bondage Removal or sale of organs

CHILD TRAFFICKING

The recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring or receipt of a child for the purpose of exploitation shall also be considered as trafficking in persons even if it does not involve any of the means set forth in the law.

CHILD TRAFFICKING

Child : (1) Person below 18 years of age; (2) Person who is over 18 but is unable to fully take care of or protect himself/herself from abuse, exploitation, or discrimination because of a physical or mental disability or condition

Similarities between Trafficking in Persons and Human Smuggling

There are movements and transportation involved Both can be committed across borders In both cases, there can be consent In both cases, facilitators devise elaborate means to elude detection Often undertaken in dangerous and degrading conditions

Differences between Trafficking in Persons and Human Smuggling

Trafficking involves fraud, deception, force, coercion, or taking advantage of the vulnerabilities (coercive and non-coercive means) In trafficking, there is a clear intent to expose them to exploitative conditions such as prostitution, forced labor, debt bondage, etc.

PUNISHABLE ACTS
Acts of trafficking in persons (Section 4); Acts that promote trafficking in persons (Section 5); Qualified Trafficking (Section 6) Use of trafficked persons for prostitution (Section 11) Violation of confidentiality (Section 7)

PENALTIES
Act Qualified Trafficking in Persons (Sec. 6) Acts of Trafficking in Persons (Sec.4) Acts that Promote Trafficking in Persons (Sec. 5)
Use of trafficked Persons for Prostitution (Sec. 11) ( Violation of confidentiality (Sec. 7)

Penalty Life imprisonment and a fine of P2million to 5million

20 years imprisonment and a fine of P1million to 2million 15 years imprisonment and a fine of P500,000 to 1million
1st offence: 6months community service and a fine of P50,000;subsequent offences:1year imprisonment and a fine of P100,000
6 years imprisonment and fine P500,000 to 1 million

ACTS OF TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS (Section 4) To recruit, transport, transfer, harbor, provide, or receive a person by any means, including those done under the pretext of domestic or overseas employment or training or apprenticeship for the purpose of prostitution, pornography, sexual exploitation, forced labor, slavery, involuntary servitude or debt bondage exploitation

ACTS OF TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS Introduce or match for money, profit, or material, economic or other consideration, any person or, as provided for under RA 6955, any Filipino woman to a foreign national, for marriage for the purpose of acquiring, buying, offering, selling or trading him/her to engage in prostitution, pornography, sexual exploitation, forced labor, slavery, involuntary servitude or debt bondage

ACTS OF TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS

To offer or contract marriage, real or simulated, for the purpose of acquiring, buying, offering, selling or trading them to engage in prostitution, pornography, sexual exploitation, forced labor or slavery, involuntary servitude or debt bondage

ACTS OF TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS Undertake or organize tours and travel plans consisting of tourism packages or activities for the purpose of utilizing and offering persons for prostitution, pornography or sexual exploitation

ACTS OF TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS

Maintain or hire a person to engage in prostitution or pornography Adopt or facilitate the adoption of persons for the purpose of prostitution, pornography, sexual exploitation, forced labor, slavery, involuntary servitude or debt bondage

ACTS OF TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS

Recruit, hire, adopt, transport or abduct a person by means of threat or use of force, fraud, deceit, violence, coercion, or intimidation for the purpose of removal or sale of organs of said person

Recruit, transport or adopt a child to engage in armed activities in the Philippines or abroad

ACTS THAT PROMOTE TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS (Section 5)

Knowingly lease or sub-lease, use or allow to be used any house, building or establishment for the purpose of promoting trafficking in persons

ACTS THAT PROMOTE TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS

Produce, print and issue or distribute un-issued, tampered or fake counseling certificates, registration stickers and certificates of any government agency which issues these certificates and stickers as proof of compliance with government regulatory and pre-departure requirements for the purpose of promoting trafficking in persons

ACTS THAT PROMOTE TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS Advertise, publish, print, broadcast or distribute, or cause the advertisement, publication, printing, broadcasting or distribution by any means, including the use of information technology and the internet of any brochure, flyer or any propaganda materials that promote trafficking in persons

ACTS THAT PROMOTE TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS

Assist in the conduct of misrepresentation or fraud for the purposes of facilitating the acquisition of clearances and necessary exit documents from government agencies that are mandated to provide pre-departure registration and services for departing persons for the purpose of promoting trafficking in persons

ACTS THAT PROMOTE TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS

To facilitate, assist entry or exit of persons at the airports, seaports and territorial boundaries Confiscate, conceal, destroy passport, travel documents of trafficked persons To knowingly benefit from, financial or otherwise the labor or services of a trafficked person

QUALIFIED TRAFFICKING (Section 6)

When the trafficked person is a child Adoption is effected through RA 8043 for the purpose of trafficking When crime is committed by a syndicate or in large scale.

QUALIFIED TRAFFICKING
When the offender is an ascendant, parent, sibling, guardian, or a person who exercises authority over a trafficked person or when offense is committed by a public officer or employee

QUALIFIED TRAFFICKING
When the trafficked person is recruited to engage in prostitution with any member of the military

When the offender is a member of the military or law enforcement agencies When the trafficked person dies, becomes insane, suffers mutilation or is afflicted with HIV-AIDS.

CONFIDENTIALITY RULE (Section 7)

The name and personal circumstances of the trafficked persons or of the accused, or any other information tending to establish their identities and such circumstances or information shall not be disclosed to the public In cases when prosecution or trial is conducted behind closed doors, it shall be unlawful for any editor, publisher, and reporter or columnist in case of printed materials, announcer or producer in case of television and radio, producer or director of a film in case of movie industry, or any person utilizing tri-media facilities or information technology to cause publicity of any case of trafficking in persons

USE OF TRAFFICKED PERSONS RA 9208 punishes any person who buys or engages services of a trafficked person for prostitution

CASE FILING: WHO?

1. The trafficked person; 2. The trafficked person`s:
Parents Spouse Siblings Children, or Legal guardian;

3. Anyone who has personal knowledge of the commission of an offense under RA 9208

CASE FILING: WHERE?

The case can be filed where:
The offense was committed; Any of its elements occurred; or The trafficked person actually resides at the time of the commission of the offense.

CASE FILING: AGAINST WHO?

Any person, natural or juridical, who commits any offence under RA 9208 may be punished for trafficking acts. If the offender is a corporation, partnership, association, club, establishment or any juridical person, the penalty shall be imposed upon the owner, president, partner, manager, and/or any responsible officer who participated in the commission of the crime, or who shall have knowingly permitted or failed to prevent its commission.

CASE FILING: WHEN?

Cases for trafficking acts can be filed up to 10 years after they are committed. If trafficking is committed by a syndicate or on a large scale, cases can be filed up to 20 years after the act. The prescriptive period is counted from the day the trafficked person is delivered or released from the condition of bondage.

Anti-Child Labor Law (R.A. 9231)

Child Labor Law (Republic Act No. 9231)

Defines worst forms of labor: slavery

prostitution and pornography use of children for illegal activities work that is hazardous and harmful to the health, safety and morals of children

Child Labor Law (Republic Act No. 9231)

Prescribes Employable Age
Under the law, children below fifteen (15) years of age shall not be employed, except in the following cases:
when the child works directly under parents/legal guardian and only members of the family are employed

when the child is employed in public entertainment or information through cinema, theater, radio, television or other forms of media is essential.

Child Labor Law (Republic Act No. 9231)

Regulates Working Hours for Children
Children below 15 years of age may work for not more that 20 hours a week, at most 4 hours a day.

The law limits children 15 17 years old to work not more than 8 hours a day or 40 hours a week.
Night work from 8pm to 6am is prohibited.

Child Labor Law (Republic Act No. 9231)

Regulates Disposition of Childrens Wages

The childs earnings shall be set aside primarily for his/her support, education or skill acquisition.
Not more than 20% of the childs income may be allotted for the collective needs of the family.

CHILD LABOR vs. CHILD WORK

Child Work
Work is appropriate to childs age and mental capabilities Limited hours of work, does not hinder the child from going to school, playing or resting Childs physical, emotional and mental well-being are nourished even in the work environment

Child Labor
Work burdens the child; too heavy for childs age and capabilities Very long hours of work, child has limited or no time for school, play or rest Child is subjected to psychological, verbal, or physical/sexual abuse

Legal

Illegal

Services/Assistance, Penalties

SERVICES/ASSISTANCE

Access to Education and Training for Working Children Access to Immediate Legal, Medical and Psycho-Social Services

Presevation of the Working Childs Income

Trust Fund

Penalties - EMPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN

Children below fifteen (15) years of age shall NOT be employed.

EXCEPTIONS:
A. When a child works under the sole responsibility of his parents or guardians

B. When the childs employment is in public entertainment or information.

Penalties - HOURS OF WORK OF A WORKING CHILD

Hours of Work

1. Child below 15 Not more than 20 hours a week Not more than 4 hours a day No work schedule between 8 pm to 6 am the following day

2. Child 15-18 Not more than 40 hours a week Not more than 8 hours a day No work schedule between 10 pm to 6 am the following day

Penalties - PROHIBITION AGAINST CERTAIN ADVERTISEMENTS

No child shall be employed as a model in any advertisement directly or indirectly promoting alcoholic beverages, intoxicating drinks, tobacco and its by products, gambling or any form of violence or pornography.

Penalties - WORST FORMS OF CHILD LABOR

(1) All forms of slavery, as defined under the Anti-trafficking in Persons Act or practices similar to slavery such as sale and trafficking of children, debt bondage and sor use in armed conflict; or (2) The use, procuring, offering or exposing of a child for prostitution, for the production of pornography or for pornographic performances;

Penalties - WORST FORMS OF CHILD LABOR

(3) The use, procuring or offering of a child for illegal or illicit activities, including the production and trafficking of dangerous drugs and volatile substances prohibited under existing laws

Penalties - WORST FORMS OF CHILD LABOR

Parents, biological or by legal fiction, and legal guardians found to be violating Sections 12, 12-A, 12-B and 12-C of this Act shall pay a fine of not less than Ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00) but not more than One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00), or be required to render community service for not less than thirty (30) days but not more than one (1) year, or both such fine and community service If a corporation commits any of the cited violations, the board of directors/trustees and officers, including the president, secretary and treasurer of the corp who participated in or knowingly allowed the violation shall be penalized accordingly.

Anti-Rape Law (Republic Act No.8353)

Republic Act No. 8353

By Sexual Intercourse

RAPE

- force or intimidation; - victim is deprived of reason/unconscious; - fraudulent machination/grave abuse of authority; or - victim is under 12 years of age or demented

- inserting penis into another person's mouth or anus; or - inserting any instrument or object into another persons genital or anus

By Sexual Assault

RAPE IS A PUBLIC CRIME!

REMEMBER! Rape is now considered a public crime. This means that any person who has knowledge of the crime may file a complaint; consequently, even if the victim withdraws her complaint, the government (i.e. the police, prosecutor, fiscal, etc.) may proceed with the case.

RA 8353: The Rape Law of 1997

Re-classified rape as crime vs. persons 2 ways of committing rape:
man has carnal knowledge of woman under the following circumstances:
Thru force, threat, or intimidation When offended party is deprived of reason/unconscious Thru fraudulent machination/grave abuse of authority When offended party is under 12 yrs or demented

RA 8353: The Rape Law of 1997 (contd)

By any person who, under any of circumstances mentioned in paragraph 1, shall commit an act of sexual assault by: inserting his penis into another persons mouth or anal orifice or Inserting any instrument or object (including a finger) into the genital or anal orifice of another person

THIS IS WHAT THE SUPREME COURT HAS SAID ABOUT RAPE!!!

NOTE: The slightest penetration of the outer labia is sufficient. The absence of sperm in the vagina does not mean that no rape occurred

What is consent?
NOTE: There is NO issue of consent for child victims under the age of 12 years old. Children under 12 CANNOT give their consent

WHEN MARRIAGE IS AVAILABLE

There can be no valid marriage between an offender and any child victim as the Family Code mandates that marriage may only be entered into when the parties to the marriage are at least 18 years old and have the consent of their parents. Any marriage entered into before a party reaches the age of 18 is void from the beginning. A parent cannot give consent to a child who may want to marry before she turns 18 years old.

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7877

Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995

Sexual Harassment The Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995 punishes all forms of sexual harassment in the employment, education or training environment. Sexual Harassment is committed if: 1. An employer, employee, manager, supervisor, agent of the employer, teacher, instructor, professor, coach, trainor or any other person who has authority, influence or moral ascendancy over the offended party

2. In a work or training or education environment 3. Demands, requests or requires any sexual favor from the other 4. Regardless of whether the demand, request or requirement for submission is accepted

R.A. 9262 Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act

Title

An act defining Violence Against Women and Their Children providing for protective measures for victims, prescribing penalties therefor and for other purposes (2004)
To uphold the dignity of women and their children and to guarantee full respect for human rights; The State recognizes the need to protect the family and its members particularly women and children from violence and threats to their personal safety and security.

Rationale:

VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMAN & THEIR CHILDREN refers to any act or a series of acts committed by any person against a woman who is his: wife, former wife, or against a woman with whom the person has or had a sexual or dating relationship, against a woman with whom he has a common child,

VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMAN & THEIR CHILDREN against her child whether legitimate or illegitimate, within or without the family abode, which result in or is likely to result in - physical, - sexual, - psychological harm or suffering, or - economic abuse including threats of such acts, battery, assault, coercion, harassment or arbitrary deprivation of liberty.

It includes, but is not limited to, the following acts: 1. Physical violence 2. Sexual violence 3. Psychological violence 4. Economic abuse

Acts of Violence Against Women and their Children (Sec.5)

a) Causing physical harm to the woman or child

b) Threatening to cause physical harm to the woman or child

c) Attempting to cause physical harm to the woman or child d) Placing the woman or child in fear or imminent physical harm e) Attempting to compel or compelling the woman or her child to engage in conduct that the woman or her child has the right to desist from OR to desist from conduct which they have a right to engage in; or restricting or attempting to

restrict the woman and childs freedom of movement or conduct by force or threat of force, physical or other harm or threat of such, or intimidation, including but not limited to the following acts with the purpose of controlling/restricting the woman and childs movement or conduct:

1) threatening to deprive or depriving the woman or her child or custody/access to her/his family;
2) depriving or threatening to deprive the woman or her child of financial support or deliberately providing insufficient financial support

3) Depriving or threatening to deprive a woman or her child of a legal right;

4) Preventing the woman in engaging in legitimate profession, occupation, business or activity, or controlling the victims own money or properties, or solely controlling the conjugal/common money or properties
f) Inflicting or threatening to inflict physical harm on oneself for the purpose of controlling her actions or decisions; g) Causing or attempting to cause the woman or her child to engage in sexual activity which does not constitute rape

h) Engaging in purposeful, knowing or reckless conduct, personally or through another, that alarms or causes substantial emotional or psychological distress to the woman or child, including but not limited to: 1) stalking or following the woman or child in public or in private places; 2) peering in the window or lingering outside the residence of the woman or her child; 3) entering or remaining in the dwelling of the woman or her child against their will; 4) destroying the property and personal belongings of the woman or her child, or inflicting harm to their animals or pets; 5) Any form of harassment or violence;

i) Causing mental or emotional anguish, public ridicule or humiliation to the woman or child, including but not limited to:

repeated verbal and emotional abuse and denial of financial support or denial of access to the womans child/children

Penalties
Physical harm under Section 5(a):

Attempted, frustrated or consummated parricide, murder or homicide

Punished in accordance with Revised Penal Code

Serious physical injuries Prision mayor Less serious physical Injuries Slight physical injuries Prision coreccional Arresto mayor

Penalties, contd
Acts under Sec.5 (b) Imprisonment of 2 degrees lower than the consummated crime Arresto mayor

Acts under Sec. 5 (c) and Sec. 5 (d)

Acts under Sec. 5 (e)

Acts under Sec. 5 (f) Acts under Sec. 5 (g)

Prision correccional
Arresto mayor Prision mayor

Acts under Sec. 5 (h) (i) Prision mayor

Penalties, contd
Fine: PhP 100,000 PhP 300,000
+ Mandatory Psychological counseling or psychiatric treatment

Venue
RTC Family Court has original jurisdiction and exclusive

If no family court in the place where the offense was committed, it shall be filed in the RTC where the crime or any of its elements was committed at the option of the complainant

Protection Orders

Definition:

A protection order is an order issued for the purpose of preventing further acts of violence against a woman or her child. It can also grant other necessary relief. BPO Barangay Protection Order TPO Temporary Protection Order PPO Permanent Protection Order

Kinds

Who may file Petition for Protection Order

(a) the offended party; (b) parents or guardians of the offended party; (c) ascendants, descendants or collateral relatives within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity; (d) officers or social workers of the DSWD or social workers of local government units (LGUs); (e) police officers, preferably those in charge of women and children's desks; (f) Punong Barangay or Barangay Kagawad; (g) lawyer, counselor, therapist or healthcare provider of the petitioner; (h) At least two (2) concerned responsible citizens of the city or municipality where the violence against women and their children occurred and who has personal knowledge of the offense committed.

Form
must be in writing, signed and verified under oath by the applicant.

It may be filed as an independent action or as incidental relief in any civil or criminal case. A standard protection order application form, written in English with translation to the major local languages, shall be made available to facilitate applications for protections order

Form
If the applicants is not the victim, the application must be accompanied by an affidavit of the applicant attesting to (a) the circumstances of the abuse suffered by the victim and (b) the circumstances of consent given by the victim for the filling of the application. When disclosure of the address of the victim will pose danger to her life, it shall be so stated in the application. In such a case, the applicant shall attest that the victim is residing in the municipality or city over which court has territorial jurisdiction, and shall provide a mailing address for purpose of service processing.

Form
An application for protection order filed with a court shall be considered an application for both a TPO and PPO. Barangay officials and court personnel shall assist applicants in the preparation of the application. Law enforcement agents shall also extend assistance in the application for protection orders in cases brought to their attention.

Reliefs that may be included in the Protection Orders

1) Prohibition of respondent from threatening to commit or committing personally or through another; 2) Prohibition of respondent from harassing, annoying, telephoning, contacting or otherwise communicating with petitioner directly or indirectly; 3) Removal and exclusion of the respondent from the residence of the petitioner, regardless of ownership of the residence, temporarily or permanently 4) Directing the respondent to stay away from the petitioner and any designated family or household member at a distance specified by the court, and to stay away from the residence, school, place of employment or any specified place

5) Directing lawful possession and use by petitioner of an automobile and other essential personal effects

6) Temporary or permanent custody of a child/children to the petitioner

7) Support to the woman and or her child if entitled to support

8) Prohibition of respondent from any use or possession of firearm or deadly weapon. Court can order him to surrender the same for appropriate disposition by the court.
9) Restitution for actual damages caused by the violence inflicted 10) Directing DSWD or appropriate agency to provide shelter etc. 11) Other relief necessary

Enforceability of Protection Orders

All TPOs and PPOs issued are enforceable anywhere in the Philippines. A violation of the TPOs and PPOs shall be punishable by a Fine of PhP 5,000 PhP 50,000 and/or Imprisonment of 6 months Effectivity of TPOs: 30 days. Extendable for a period of 30 days each particular time until final judgment is issued.

Duties of Barangay Officials and LawEnforcer

(a) respond immediately to a call for help or request for assistance or protection of the victim by entering the necessary whether or not a protection order has been issued and ensure the safety of the victim/s; (b) confiscate any deadly weapon in the possession of the perpetrator or within plain view; (c) transport or escort the victim/s to a safe place of their choice or to a clinic or hospital; (d) assist the victim in removing personal belongs from the house; (e) assist the barangay officials and other government officers and employees who respond to a call for help;

Duties of Barangay Officials and Law Enforcer

(f) ensure the enforcement of the Protection Orders issued by the Punong Barangy or the courts; (g) arrest the suspected perpetrator wiithout a warrant when any of the acts of violence defined by this Act is occurring, or when he/she has personal knowledge that any act of abuse has just been committed, and there is imminent danger to the life or limb of the victim as defined in this Act; and (h) immediately report the call for assessment or assistance of the DSWD, social Welfare Department of LGUs or accredited non-government organizations (NGOs).

Failure to Report

Any barangay official or law enforcer who fails to report the incident shall be liable for a fine not exceeding Ten Thousand Pesos (P10,000.00) or whenever applicable criminal, civil or administrative liability.

Confidentiality
All records pertaining to cases of violence against women and children including those in the barangay shall be confidential. All public officers and employees and public or private clinics or hospitals shall respect the right of privacy of the victim.

Any violation of confidentiality clause shall be subject to the contempt powers of the court.

Prescription of Action
Acts falling under Sections 5(a) to 5(f) shall prescribe in twenty (20) years. Acts falling under Sections 5(g) to 5(i) shall prescribe in ten (10) years.