Sexual Harassment

Dear PAO,

My sister commutes to and from work. One day, she came home and told me that while she was inside the jeepney, waiting for other passengers, the jeepney driver whistled at her and whispered, «Miss, ang sexy mo naman.» She shared that since she was seated near the rear entrance, the driver kept eyeing her through the rearview mirror while waiting for the jeepney to leave. She felt very uncomfortable the entire time. Is there any law that protects women from these kinds of men?

Luca

Dear Luca,

Republic Act 11313, otherwise known as the «Safe Spaces Act,» prohibits gender-based streets and public spaces sexual harassment under Section 4 thereof, viz:

«Section 4. Gender-Based Streets and Public Spaces Sexual Harassment. — The crimes of gender-based streets and public spaces sexual harassment are committed through any unwanted and uninvited sexual actions or remarks against any person regardless of the motive for committing such action or remarks.

»Gender-based streets and public spaces sexual harassment includes catcalling, wolf-whistling, unwanted invitations, misogynistic, transphobic, homophobic and sexist slurs, persistent uninvited comments or gestures on a person's appearance, relentless requests for personal details, statement of sexual comments and suggestions, public masturbation or flashing of private parts, groping, or any advances, whether verbal or physical, that is unwanted and has threatened one's sense of personal space and physical safety, and committed in public spaces such as alleys, roads, sidewalks and parks. Acts constitutive of gender-based streets and public spaces sexual harassment are those performed in buildings, schools, churches, restaurants, malls, public washrooms, bars, internet shops,