There was a forum on July 15 about battling sexual harassment and how they are affecting the country. To be honest, I was a bit ignorant on the topic as it has nothing to do with me whatsoever. I was just planning to doze off after sitting in a comfy seat just to pass the time. But after a while, I realized my ignorance had taken hold of me. The forum was not boring, nor does it not concern me. What I’ve heard opened my eyes to the horrors of sexual abuse.
Sexual abuse is indeed happening in our country. It may be as small as sexual jokes to as big as near-rape. Whether it be big or small, sexual harassment is happening everywhere.
I remember when Atty. Pinlac talked about the severe cases of sexual abuse. Most of her stories were like what you are used to see in teleseryes involving sex and betrayal. One particular case that stuck my mind was a case involving a certain Korean electronics company. She said that the company only picks women aged 18-21 and trains them for six months in order to be regularized. Sounds normal? No, that’s just part of it.
Sexual abuse is indeed happening in our country. It may be as small as sexual jokes to as big as near-rape. Whether it be big or small, sexual harassment is happening everywhere.
I remember when Atty. Pinlac talked about the severe cases of sexual abuse. Most of her stories were like what you are used to see in teleseryes involving sex and betrayal. One particular case that stuck my mind was a case involving a certain Korean electronics company. She said that the company only picks women aged 18-21 and trains them for six months in order to be regularized. Sounds normal? No, that’s just part of it.
In order for the women employees to be regularized, they must stand in line to be inspected by the manager. What the manager does is fondle each woman’s breasts to his satisfaction.
I don’t know what that has anything to do with work, but according to Atty. Pinlac’s story, it was the company’s standard procedure. It doesn’t stop there, each woman then bows down to the manager, opens his zipper, and does oral sex. Unbelievable? But it’s true.
Another harassment case I remember was a dad who raped two of his daughters, while the third one was raped by his friends. Atty. Pinlac was handling the case of the third daughter when she heard of the other two. It was sickening. Sickening for someone to do those things to their own flesh and blood. Sickening indeed.
There was also another case, I think I saw this on TV years back, where a grade school teacher molested his male students in his house. The criminal’s defense was that the boys liked it to and did so without any force.
These grave cases of sexual harassments are really happening in our society, and what’s worse is that the only punishment that these perpetrators receive is a six-month imprisonment or a fine of P20, 000.
Senator Escudero, who also attended the forum, said that revising the sexual harassment bill is imminent to curb these sick cases. He said that the current provisions of the sexual harassment act are really not that effective in curbing these cases of sexual harassment.
“In my mind, this is now an issue of enforcement than legislation. The congress should make it more updated to the changing time and ensure that those who commit violations on this line should be punished, and will be penalized,” he said.
But what is the root of sexual harassment? Was it because of the woman’s looks or how she dress? How she acts? No, It was because of our own culture.
“It is not because women were short skirts revealing clothes. It is about power,” Pinlac said.
Both the speakers agree that culture and power are the ones responsible for the abuse. It is inherent in our culture for the women to be submissive. This nature is the reason why men often take advantage into believing that he can do anything to the woman, and because of that, power is involved.
I don’t know what that has anything to do with work, but according to Atty. Pinlac’s story, it was the company’s standard procedure. It doesn’t stop there, each woman then bows down to the manager, opens his zipper, and does oral sex. Unbelievable? But it’s true.
Another harassment case I remember was a dad who raped two of his daughters, while the third one was raped by his friends. Atty. Pinlac was handling the case of the third daughter when she heard of the other two. It was sickening. Sickening for someone to do those things to their own flesh and blood. Sickening indeed.
There was also another case, I think I saw this on TV years back, where a grade school teacher molested his male students in his house. The criminal’s defense was that the boys liked it to and did so without any force.
These grave cases of sexual harassments are really happening in our society, and what’s worse is that the only punishment that these perpetrators receive is a six-month imprisonment or a fine of P20, 000.Senator Escudero, who also attended the forum, said that revising the sexual harassment bill is imminent to curb these sick cases. He said that the current provisions of the sexual harassment act are really not that effective in curbing these cases of sexual harassment.
“In my mind, this is now an issue of enforcement than legislation. The congress should make it more updated to the changing time and ensure that those who commit violations on this line should be punished, and will be penalized,” he said.
But what is the root of sexual harassment? Was it because of the woman’s looks or how she dress? How she acts? No, It was because of our own culture.
“It is not because women were short skirts revealing clothes. It is about power,” Pinlac said.
Both the speakers agree that culture and power are the ones responsible for the abuse. It is inherent in our culture for the women to be submissive. This nature is the reason why men often take advantage into believing that he can do anything to the woman, and because of that, power is involved.
If women learn how to stand up for them---and not cower in fear of peer rejection---- then cases like these ones will cease to exist. Again, culture is the main culprit in our society, and the only way to change that is to change ourselves.
Senator Escudero’s proposal to strengthen the bill will indeed give a bite to those who violate it, but the best way for it not to happen is to change ourselves and fight for our own rights.
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