Knowledge and Perception on Violence against Women and their Child among Married

Women of Purok 4 Barangay Cadalian, Baguio District, Davao City

A Research Paper Presented to the
Department of Community Medicine
Davao Medical School Foundation, Inc.
College of Medicine







In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements
In Community Medicine IV






Submitted by
Songcaya, Cherie Anne V.
Tapia, Cherrie A.




FEBRUARY 2014
CHAPTER I




INTRODUCTION



Background of the Study
In the conduct of problem prioritization during our community diagnosis
program, community members reported that they are not aware about violence against
women and their children (VAWC), which was included in one of the questions in the
survey conducted, so ranked this problem as number 6 in their problem prioritization.
They also added that there are several unreported cases of domestic violence in their
community, particularly physical abuse. The community wanted to know more about
VAWC so they will arm themselves with knowledge to protect their rights as women in
the community.
Violence affects the lives of millions of women worldwide, in all socio-economic
and educational classes (UNDPI,1996). All violence against women takes a variety of
from domestic abuse and rape to child marriages and female circumcision. These
violence affects1 in 3 women globally in her lifetime and these women are 3 times more
likely to acquire HIV than those who are not abused. Approximately one woman is
beaten by their partners or husbands every 43 minutes while one child is battered every
one hour and 20 minutes. A woman or child is harassed every 4 hours (One Billion
Rising Philippines, 2013).
Despite the law enacted in the year 2004 known as the RA 9262 or the Anti-
Violence Against Women and their Children Act violence against women are still
reported so to protect the rights of women and children a campaign was made to educated
the world 1 billion fold so One Billion Rising was launch. In Davao city National and
Local Integrated Gender and Development Division (IGDD) was organized its vision-
mission is to be the catalyst within the local government unit to ensure the appropriate
involvement of women in the mainstream development activities in all areas and all
stage. And to be the innovator and nurturer of new ideas, programs, projects and services
which promote women empowerment and gender equality in the city
(www.davaocity.gov).Despite these established campaign and program there are still
increasing cases of violence against women and their children.
In fact, local statistics showed an increasing cases of violence against women and
their children reported in the Center for Womens Resources or CWR with a noted
increase of 47.74% from 18,242 in 2009 to 26,951 in 2010
(www.newvoicecompany.com). According to Sunstar Davao last September 2013
records obtained from the IGDD showed that economic abuse numbers the most
complaint under Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act of 2004 since
2010 with 375 cases in 2010 and 448 cases in 2011 and 659 cases in 2012.




Review of Related Literature
Violence against women is a worldwide phenomenon. It was said that it is
a development issue, because it became an obstacle to the achievement of equality,
security, liberty and dignity of all human beings. In the Philippines, tremendous and
significant progress has been made in addressing and eliminating violence against women
by both government and non-government organization (A Deeper Look at Violence
against Women: The Philippine Case, 2000).
The 2008 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) conducted by the
National Statistics Office (NSO) introduced the "Women Safety Module" which aims to
capture the extent and types of VAW experienced by women (15-49 years old). The
NDHS revealed that one in five women aged 15-49 has experienced physical violence
since age 15; 14.4 percent of married women have experienced physical abuse from their
husbands; and more than one-third (37%) of separated or widowed women have
experienced physical violence, implying that domestic violence could be the reason for
separation or annulment.

Marital Rape
A common myth surrounding rape and other forms of sexual violence is the belief
that these crimes are most often perpetrated by strangers. In fact, through our experience
of working with women and girls affected by sexual violence, we know that around 85%
of survivors / victims know their attacker prior to the rape or assault and that often this
violence is perpetrated by a partner or ex-partner. In a study conducted by Finkelhor and
Yllo last 1985, they estimated that 10 to 14 percent of all married women have been or
will be raped by their spouses. Also a study conducted by Best last 1999 shows those
victims of marital rape before have long histories, but was ignored, neglected and hidden
from view. These problems was now resolved in America because marital rape is now
considered as crime to women. The evolution of feminist thought on rape has led to
increasingly broad standards in redefining the domain of sexual assault. He added that
women in our patriarchal culture can never freely consent to sex.
Staying in a relationship that involves or has involved sexual violence does not
mean a woman is 'weak' or any less deserving of specialist support and justice than a
woman raped in any other kind of circumstance. Everyone has the right to say 'no' to sex
on any occasion and under any circumstances, regardless of whether they've given
consent to sex with that person in the past. Sex without consent is rape, whether it takes
place within a marriage or any other kind of relationship. (Rape Crisis England and
Wales, 2014).

Destroying Properties
Domestic violence is a pattern of coercive and assaultive behaviors that include
physical, sexual, verbal, and psychological attacks and economic coercion that adults use
against their intimate partner. It is not typically a singular event and is not limited to only
physical aggression.
In progression of domestic violence includes 5 phases as stated in PHASE 1: Pre-
battering violence: verbal abuse, hitting objects, throwing objects, breaking objects, and
making threats; increased tension, anger, blaming and arguing. When abusers hit or break
objects or make threats, almost 100% resort to battering.

Verbal Abuse
Verbal abuse is a feature of emotional abuse and an article from Sweden states
that it is a mechanism that 'communicates worthlessness'.(Hyden, 1995). Emotional abuse
includes verbal attacks, harassment, belittling, excessive possessiveness, isolation of
partner, and deprivation of physical and economic resources. (Alexander, 1993).
A study conducted in Japan, of the 796 respondents in this study, 523 indicated
that they experienced one or more of the fourteen identified types of emotional abuse.
The largest proportion reported verbal abuse. (Yoshihama and Sorenson, 1994).
A study conducted by Sprigg et al last april 2007 stated that, the most frequent
perceived reasons for verbal abuse were: They are frustrated, They are anxious and
They don't understand the tasks I must perform, which were significantly more
frequent than were other reasons, including They are in a hurry or They are drunk.
One of the first books to describe verbal abuse in adults was Patricia Evan's
book The Verbally Abusive Relationship. She interviewed forty verbally abused women
who ranged in age from 21 to 66. Most of the women had left a verbally abusive
relationship.




Economic Abuse
Economic abuse according to UP-PGH Womens Desk is defined as trying to
keep her from getting or keeping job; making her ask for money; giving her allowance;
taking her money; controlling the financial aspects of the family.
According to the Society for Disabilities Study last 2007; a study conducted
among persons with disabilities revealed that one of the types of abuse that they had
experienced is economic or financial abuse. Economic abuse is usually experienced by
the elderly because they are not allowed to take control of their money.
Economic Abuse tops the reported VAWC reported in Mindanao. This includes
sole control of family money, making a woman dependent on her husband for money also
making scenes that will make a woman unemployed. For separated couples, husbands
minimal or no financial provision for his children is the main complain in the womens
desk in Davao City.

Childrens Right to Education
Every child has the right to education, for educations transforms lives and breaks
the cycle of poverty that traps so many children. United Nations perceive that and
educated child will make sure that his/her own children will be educated (UNICEF,
2013). Education has a profound effect on girls and womens ability to claim other rights
and achieve status in society, such as economic independence and political
representation. As the following examples demonstrate, having an education can make an
enormous difference to a womans chances of finding well-paid work, raising a healthy
family and preventing the spread of diseases such as HIV and AIDS.
Study conducted by Benn, Girls entitled Education: Towards a better Future for
all, 2005) they summarized that despite the progress of the government education for all,
girls are found to be uneducated than boys. Violence against girls and women has been
identified as a key barrier to girls education. Early marriage is a reality for many, where
families wish for the social and economic benefits this brings. In Bangladesh and
Afghanistan, more than 50 per cent of girls are married by age 18.
Across the world many children miss out on their education because:
they are made to work
they are recruited into armed forces
their families do not have the means to pay for schooling
discrimination and racism undermine their chance to receive an education
they face violence as they pursue their education.


Physical Abuse
In the past few decades, worldwide, there has been an increase in research on
interpersonal violence and trauma histories. Physical abuse consists of anything an
intimate partner does to the other partner that causes physical pain. If the partner has
slapped, pinched, punched, thrown things at his partner or assaulted her with a weapon,
she is a victim of domestic violence.
According to divorce.com by Cathy Meyer, here are the physical abuse statistics
in the US:
One in four women (25%) has experienced domestic violence in her lifetime.
Between 600,000 and 6 million women are victims of domestic violence each
year, and between 100,000 and 6 million men, depending on the type of survey
used to obtain the data.
Women ages 20-24 are at the greatest risk of nonfatal intimate partner violence.
Between 1993 and 2004, intimate partner violence on average made up 22% of
nonfatal intimate partner victimizations against women. The same year, intimate
partners committed 3% of all violent crime against men.
Separated and divorced males and females are at a greater risk of nonfatal
intimate partner violence.
Women and men of all races are about equally vulnerable to violence by an
intimate partner.
Intimate partner violence affects people regardless of income. However, people
with lower annual income (below $25K) are at a 3-times higher risk of intimate
partner violence than people with higher annual income.
Studies show that access to shelter services leads to a 60-70% reduction in
incidence and severity of re-assault during the 3-12 months follow up period
compared to women who did not access shelter. Shelter services led to greater
reduction in severe re-assault than did seeking court or law enforcement
protection, or moving to a new location.
Nearly three out of four (74%) of Americans personally know someone who is or
has been a victim of domestic violence. 30% of Americans say they know a
woman who has been physically abused by her husband or boyfriend in the past
year.


Marital Infidelity
Some 11% of adults who have ever been married or cohabited have been
unfaithful to their partner, according to the results of a national survey. The investigators
assessed the influence of adults' opportunities for meeting additional sex partners, sexual
values and tastes, current relationship and demographic characteristics on the odds of
being unfaithful. When these factors were analyzed together, thinking about sex several
times a day, having had a high number of prior sex partners, living in a central city, being
male or black, and having been part of a couple for a long time were all associated with
an increased risk of infidelity. Disapproving of sexual infidelity and sharing social
networks with one's partner were associated with reduced odds of having been unfaithful.
Commenting on the study's findings, one of the researchers observes that sexual
behavior is social behavior, and suggests that interventions aimed at reducing risky
sexual behavior should take into account the social contexts in which individuals make
decisions related to sexual partnerships, as well as demographic risk factors (Treas J and
Giesen D, Sexual infidelity among married and cohabiting Americans, Journal of
Marriage and the Family, 2000).

Who will be reprimanded by the law
Women can also be executed for violence against women. These may include the
lesbian partners/girlfriends or the former partner of the victim to whom she had sexual or
dating relationship (Barangay Protection Order RA 9262 Primer. Department of Interior
and Local Government, National Barangay Operations Office, 2004).

Causes of Domestic Violence
Domestic violence can start when one partner feels the need to control and
dominate the other. The need for control maybe rooted from low self-esteem, extreme
jealousy, difficulty in regulating strong emotions and anger, or when people feel inferior
to the other partner in education and socio-economic background. Other men with very
traditional belief that they have the right to control women, and women are not equal to
men. Studies also suggest that violent behavior is often caused both by situational and
individual factors. Simply means that violent behavior may come from his/her family,
people from their community and other cultural influences as they grow up. They may
have seen violence often or they may be a victim of violence themselves. For children
who witnessed violence they will perceive that being violent is reasonable to resolve
conflict between people. Lastly alcohol and other chemical substances may contribute to
violent behavior according to theory of inhibition which was bypassed because of these
chemicals (What causes Domestic Violence, Toby Goldsmith, 2013).

Reporting witnessed VAW in the Community
It is essential to understand why female victims of domestic violence dont
report or dont seek help when they experience domestic violence. The reasons so many
cases go unreported are both personal (embarrassment, fear of retaliation, economic
dependency) and societal (imbalanced power relations for men and women in society,
privacy of the family, victim blaming attitudes). So a study was conducted to know
whether this domestic violence was really invisible to the social environment of the
victim and if it is socially visible why do they not report. Here is the result of the study.
These results suggest that many cases of intimate partner violence, although unreported,
are known to the social circle surrounding the victim. While these data support that,
especially among friends and family, most cases are known, there is a significant reserve
of cases obscured from those close to victims and abusers. The same opinion poll also
shows that 46% of European Union citizens think that the provocative behavior of
women is a cause of domestic violence against women, which indicates a high prevalence
of victim blaming attitudes. And, as social scientists know, being held responsible for
their own victimization reduces significantly the chances of receiving help. These
attitudes also help to maintain a climate of social tolerance for intimate partner violence
(E. Garcia, Unreported cases of domestic violence against women: towards an
epidemiology of social silence, tolerance, and inhibition, 2004).
In the study also conducted by Laisser et al, last 2011 done using focus group
discussions with 75 men and women was conducted in a community setting of urban
Tanzania showed that some informants reflected the importance of supportive neighbors
but clarified difficulties for community members to intervene in complex situations that
involved violence, wherein they shared that, "People fight at night with the doors closed.
Who will open the door for you? Can you break the door of somebody's house? It is an
offense. Maybe what we need are strong laws which can strictly be followed."
Objective of the Problem

General Objective
The study aims to describe VAWC among married women in Barangay Cadalian.
Specific Objectives
1. To determine the knowledge of women regarding Anti-Violence against Women
and their children with regards to:
Marital rape
Destroying properties
Verbal abuse
Economic abuse
Right to education
Physical Abuse
Who will be reprimanded by the law
Marital infidelity
1. To cite stories about the experience of two women who were a survivor of
domestic violence.
2. To determine the womens perception, in terms of:
Whether they will report any form of violence to the authorities any form of
violence
Why there are women and children who were abused
Whether they would report if they witnessed a domestic violence in their
neighborhood

Significance of the Study
To the community members:
They will know about the nature and causes of VAWC. They will be
educated about their rights as woman. Hence they will be empowered the achieving the
MDG goal number 3.
To the community leaders:
This research will help them assess whether there is a need for a VAWC
seminar to be conducted by a knowledgeable CSSDO team. They may also organize
program or policies for the victims of violence in the community.
To the future researchers:
This study may be of help for their future reference.



Chapter II




METHOD



This chapter presents the method utilized by the researchers in data gathering. The
research design, locale of the study, unit of analysis, sampling method, data collection
and procedures, treatment of data, as well as the limitation of the study are described in
this chapter.

Research Design
This study utilized a descriptive study design.

Locale of the Study
The research was conducted at Purok 4, Barangay Cadalian, Baguio District,
Davao City. Purok 4 is one among the 10 Puroks in Barangay Cadalian. It has a total
population of 43 households and 248 household members.

Unit of Analysis
The unit of analysis utilized in this research is a married woman of Purok 4.

Sampling Method
All 35 married women of Purok 4, who permitted the conduct of the study, served
as subjects of this study.
Data Collection and Procedures
The researchers conducted a house to house interview was done after identifying
the subjects of the study. The objective of the research was explained well to each
household in their own understanding as possible and they were asked if they would
consent to continue the interview. A scheduled interview was done. Those respondents
who disclose to be a survivor of domestic violence were asked if they will consent that
their stories be included in this study and their statement be recorded using a voice
recorder and every data that will gathered will be keep confidentially.

Treatment of Data
All the information gathered from the interview with regards to demographic
profile and knowledge about VAWC was tallied. Results of the tallies were encoded in
Microsoft excel.

Limitations of the Study
This research was conducted last March 2014 that was to the knowledge and
perception of married women to VAWC.

Ethical Considerations
Informed consent was obtained from each of the participants before the start of
the study. Each participant was oriented regarding the purpose and conduct of the study.
The participants were also assured of that all information gathered will be kept
confidential.
Chapter III




RESULTS



Demographic Profile


Figure 1. Distribution of Respondents by Age
Thirty- one respondents are aged 19-50 years old, and 4 out of 35 respondents are aged
50 years old above.


0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
19 - 50 years old
50 years old above
Age of Respondents

Figure 2. Distribution of Respondents by Educational Attainment
This figure shows the distribution of respondents with regards to their educational
attainment. Ten out of 35 respondents attended college, 11 attended elementary level and 14 out
of 35 respondents reach high school level.




Figure 3. Distribution of respondents in Years of Marriage
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
Elementary Level
High School Level
College Level
Educational Attainment
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
20 years nd above
11 - 20 years
1 - 10 years
Married in Years
Figure 3 shows the distribution of the respondents with regards to years in marriage.
Fifteen respondents were married for 1-10 years, 13 out of 35 were married for 11-20 years and 7
are married for 20 years above.



Figure 4. Distribution of Respondents with regards to their Tribe
This figure is showing the distribution of respondents with regards to their tribe. Majority
of the respondents which is 15 are Bagobo, 14 are Bisaya 3 out of 25 are Bol-anon and 1
respondents is Ilonggo.

Knowledge on Violence Against Women
Table 1. Number of Respondents about Knowledge on Violence against Women and their Child

Knowledge on the following:

Correct

Incorrect
1) Marital Rape 35 -
2) Destroying Properties 10 25
3) Verbal Abuse 6 29
4) Economic Abuse 35 -
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
Ilonggo
Bol-anon
Bisaya
Bagobo
Tribe
5) Right to Education 27 8
6) Physical Abuse 35 -
7) Who will be Reprimanded by Law 13 22
8) Marital Infidelity 35 -

Thirty-five respondents were asked about 8 basic questions on VAWC. Marital
rape, economic abuse, physical abuse and marital infidelity as violence against women.
Twenty-seven respondents considered not sustaining education for their children is a
form of violence. Out of 35 respondents 13 answered correctly on who will be
reprimanded by law. Destroying properties and economic abuse are considered a violence
of 10 and 6 respondents respectively.

Perception on Violence against Women
A question about reporting violence to the authorities performed to them or to
their children. Three out of 35 these respondents answered that will certainly report, 9
will most likely report, 7 may not report and 15 will not report.
The respondents were asked to enumerate reasons why are there women and
children who were victims of violence, 30 of the respondents enumerated that husband
who is a drunkard is a cause of violence. Twenty-nine said that it might be the use of
drugs by the husband. Ten respondents reasoned that the husband may come from an
abusive family. Eight respondents enumerated that women are to blame because they are
nagger or they did not submit completely to their husbands, their children may be hard-
headed and did not perform the task assigned to them. Three of the respondents added
that marital infidelity and influence by friends and two added unplanned pregnancy as a
cause of violence.
A situation was presented to the respondents situating them to have witnessed
domestic violence performed to their neighbor, will they report this event to the
authorities. Ten of the respondents will certainly report, 11 will likely to report 13 will
not likely to report and 1 will certainly not report.


CHAPTER IV




DICUSSION


This chapter will discuss about the knowledge and perceptions of the respondents
regarding violence against women and their children. The research have a total of 35
married respondents who consent the conduct study and shared their private family
issues, what they know about VAWC and their perception about VAWC. Two out of 35
respondents opened that they experienced violence by their intimate partner and they both
permitted to have their story included in the researchers paper.

Socio-Demographic Profile
The respondents are aged from 19-50 with 31 respondents and only 4 respondents
were aged 51 above. Of the 35 respondents 11 of them attended elementary 14 out of 35
attended high school and 10 attended college.
All of the respondents are married. Fifteen out of 35 were married for 1-10 years,
13 were married for 11-20 years and 7 out of 35 were married for 20 years above.
The majority of the respondents belong to a Bagobo tribe with 15 respondents, 14
belong to Bisaya tribe and 3 out of 35 were Bol-anon and 1 out of 35 is an Ilonggo.

Knowledge
The researcher measured their knowledge about VAWC by asking them 8 basic
questions about VAWC (see Appendix 3 for the questionnaire.) Scoring was based on an
8 item question a score of 0-3 is poor, 4-5 is fair out 35 have a score of 4-5 which is fair
and 6-8 good. Twenty-seven out of 35 have a good basic knowledge about VAWC. These
reported they heard it over a radio program or the television show and some attended a
formal lecture conducted by CSSDO at Baguio district. And 8 scored fair in the basic
knowledge on VAWC.

Marital Rape
All of the respondents acknowledge that marital sex is a violation against their
rights as a wife. Two of our respondents shared that they experienced marital rape and the
following are their statements. Ang akoang bana kung mahubog iyaha kong pugson nga
makipagtalik, ingon siya nga ang kamot lang daaw ug ang till ang makapoy kung
magtrabaho said Elvie. ( If my husband comes home drunk he will force me to have sex
with him reasoning that only my hands and feet are tired when Im doing the days work.)
Nahimo sa akoang bana ug kadaghan nga ako makigsekso kaniya labi na kong muoli
siya nga hubog, kung dili ko musugot iyaha kung pasanginlan nga naa daw koy uban
said Tania (My husband usually forced me to have sex with him especially when his
drunk, and if I disagree he will accuse me of seeing someone else).
From there answers we can say that they are knowledgeable about marital rape.
Sexual violence against women by intimate partners in the home increases the chance of
womens vulnerability to HIV infection and further violence. (Dr. Yarin Erluk, UN
special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women, 2006). They added that women who are
sexually violated are 3 times more likely to acquire HIV. According to Anti-VAWC act,
Sexual Violence refers to act which is sexual in nature, committed to the woman or her
child it includes, but are not limited to, a). rape, sexual harassment, acts of lasciviousness,
treating the child and the woman as sex objects, making demeaning and sexually
suggestive remarks, physically attacking the sexual parts of the victim, forcing them to
watch obscene publications and shows or mare films thereof, forcing the wife,
mistress/lover to live in the conjugal home or sleep together in the room with the abuser,
b). acts causing or attempting to cause the victim to engage in any sexual activity by
force, threat of force, physical or other harm or threat of physical or other harm or
coercion, c). Prostituting the woman or her child.


Destroying properties
Ten out of 35 respondents answered the question correctly, stating that damaging
property is a type of violence. They reason that if a husband wreaks things they feel
harmed emotionally so it is a form of abuse. Tania added Maglabay akoang asawa sa
amoang gamit sa gawas, ug usahay ginatamakan niya ang amoang pag-kaon sa lamesa,
maghilak nalang ang amoang anak kay wala na miy kaonon. (My husband throws things
outside the house and sometimes he step on our food serve on the table, our child only do
is cry for there is no food to eat). Elvie also shared her experience, Gilabay sa akoang
bana ang kladero nga nay luto nga kan-on sa gawas sa amoang balay, iyahang pang
gubaon ang amoang plato ug mga baso kung masuko siya. (He threw our cooking pot
with cooked rice outside the house, he even break our plates and glasses when he is
angry). These question points out to a kind of psychological abuse. It refers to acts or
omission causing or likely to cause mental or emotional suffering of the victim. Twenty-
five of the 35 respondents answered that it is not a violation of the anti-VAWC act, and
rationalized that it may be okay as long as nobody got hurt physically during the event or
when the husband does not threw things directly to the wife or his children (Republic Act
9262 Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children 2004, Briefer).
Verbal Abuse
Of the 35 respondents only 6 identified verbal abuse as a violation to their right.
They reason that they usually fight with their husband and said violent words against
each other. This women point out that verbal fight is okay and it usually happens in the
family. Tania verbalized that Naga away mi sa akoang bana, makaingon siya nako ug
sakit nga mga tawag, ug gani mao ni ang sugod sa iyahang pagkaviolente nako. Una siya
nga naga pasakit nako pinaagi sa istorya, kay kuno Bagobo ko, ug ang akoang batasan
kay pang bukid kay bagobo ko. Iyaha pa gani ko ingnan ug dali rad aw ko niya mailisdan
ug gustuhon niya. (He started acting violent against me verbally, he says that my
behavior are like the uptown people for I am a bagobo, he even added that he can easily
replace me if he wanted to). Elvie was also verbally abused nay panahon nga hadlokon
ko niya nga iyaha kong patyon, murag naka drugs siya ato, mura gyud siya ug si satanas.
(There was a time that he verbally abused me he treated to kill me, he looks like the devil
when he is under the influence of illegal drugs).
This question still pertains to a type of psychological abuse particularly
humiliation and threat of infidelity these will likely to cause mental and emotional
suffering to the mans victim. In a study conducted entitled Breaking the Silence: The
Realities of Family Violence in the Philippines Verbal Abuse rank 4 of the reported type
of abuse, this may be explained that verbal altercation is considered normal by the
families in the Philippines and parallel the results in this study that bitter quarrel is said
okay by the research respondents.
Tanias statement that his husband first verbally abused her then eventually led to
physical abuse. This situation paralleled the phase 1 of abuse which include verbal abuse
that eventually evolve to battering almost 100% according to a study by

Economic Abuse
All of the respondents agreed that the sole control of family money is a type of
violence.
Tania said that Wala ko naga pangayo sa akoang bana ug kwarta bisan wala na
mi makaon sa akoang anak kay iyaha mang pangitaon ang iyahang hinatag, mao na
amoang awayan napud ug is aka semana, mas maayo nga ako ang mgita ug kwarta ug
ako ang mupalit sa amoang panginanhanglan ( I dont ask money from my husband,
because one time he gave me money (200php) he always looked for it when his home, he
doesnt want me to spend his money and this will be the source of our week-long quarrel,
so I work and earn money for us). Elvie added that Dili gusto sa akoang bana nga maka
kwarta ko, dili siya gusto na mamaligya ko ug mga gulay, gusto niya nga sa balay lang ko
kauban sa akoang mga anak. Ingon pa siya nga ang inahan kuno dapat naa ra sa balay kay
kung naa sa gawas ang inahan dili niya mabantayuan ang mga anak mao ang himungdan
sa disgrasiya. Akoang rason nganong mamaligya ko kay, wala niya gina suportahan ang
pag-eskwela sa akoang mga anak , ingon siya samok samok ug gasto lang daw kini, mao
ako ang naga pangita ug kwarta para pang eskwela nila kay di ko gusto nga pareha sa
akoang kahimtang ang ilahang matagamtaman. ( My husband doesnt want me to earn
money, instead he wants me to stay home and tend to our children needs. My reason of
going out to sell vegetables is to send our children to school because I dont want them to
end in the dump like me, my husband does not support my children schooling because he
perceive that it only hinders their success and nobody needs education because everybody
can learn on their own instead of spending high cost tuition).
This question pertains to a kind of economic abuse means the husband prevents
her wife from getting or keeping a job. Making her ask for money.Giving her an
allowance.Taking her money. Not letting her know about or have access to family
income. The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence reported that victims of
intimate partner violence lost almost 8 million days of paid work because of violence
penetrated to them by current or former husbands, boyfriends and dates. This loss is the
equivalent of more than 32000 full-time jobs and almost 5.6 million days of household
productivity as a result of violence.
Right to Education
Twenty-seven out of 35 answered that not sending children to school is a type of
violence. As Elvie mentioned that her husband dont support her children to school so
she work hard for them. This will point out to abuse to children for right to education is a
law in article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Articles 13 and 14 of
the International Covenant on Economic and Social Rights and this includes the right to
free, compulsory primary education for all (Wikipedia). National Statistics Office
reported that 1 out of every 8 Filipinos 6-24 years old is an Out-0f-School-Youth and
Davao ranks second of the largest regions with 19% of all Out-of- School youth.
Physical Abuse
All of the respondents responded that physical abuse is a form of violence and it
should not be tolerated by any family. Physical abuse include pushing, shoving, hitting,
shaking, choking, pulling of hair, punching, kicking, grabbing, using a weapon or object,
beating throwing her down, twisting arms, tripping, biting, throwing things, pushing her
out of the vehicle and leaving her in the cold. Tania recalled that Una-una gyud siyang
nanakit sa akoa (husband) kay katong nagbuntis ko mga lima na siya kabulan sa akoang
tiyan, ang akoang bana ginasumbag ko, ginahapak ko sa bongbong ug sa hagdanan, mo
trabaho gihapon ko pagka-ugma bisan sakit akoang lawas ug daghan ko ug lagom-lgom.
Ginahimo niya ni perminti nako, labi na kung hubog siya, na nganak ko sa hospital gi
tabangan nako ankoa kaugaliungon nga makasakay paadto sa hospital kay wala man siya.
Tong naka anak na ko niapas siya sa hospital unya hubog siya atongtungora. Tong 3
years old na akoang anak, iyaha napud kong gikulata kay naa daw koy lalaki, iyaha kung
gipatulog sa gawas sa amoang balay kauban akoang anak, natulog lang mi sa trisikad nga
akoang ginaparentahan, naluoy gyud ko sa akoang anak atong panahona. (My husband
first hit me when I was 5 months pregnant with our only daughter, he slapped me and
punch me and shove me hitting the ladder, even so I still manage to go to work even with
my aching body and my bruises. He always does this to me especially when his drunk. I
delivered our daughter at the hospital but I brought myself there, when I delivered our
child he catch-up but he was drunk that time. When our child was 3 years old my
husband hit me and he accused me that I having an affair, so he let me and my child sleep
outside our house, so my daughter and I slept in a trisikad that I own, I feel so sorry for
my child). Elvie experienced the same thing she further elaborated that Pirminte
manumbag akoang asawa kung hubog siya, iyaha kong sumbagon, sagpaon, sipaon, pero
ang pinaka grabe sa tanan kay katong iyaha kong gitutukan ug pusil, ang akoang gihimo,
nidagan ko ug nilukso sa amoang bintana ug ni ambak ko sa fishpond nag napalibutan ug
tag-as kayo nga mga sagbot. Kuyaw kayo to siya, murag nafeel nako na niagi ang bala sa
akoang ulohan. ( My husband abused me physically almost every time, usually when he
is drunk, the worst situation I must say is when he pointed gun at me. What I did was, I
jump out of our house through the window and into the fish pond that was surrounded by
tall grass, I felt that the bullet went straight through my head, it was so scary).
According to Domestic Violence Statistics that around the world, at least one in
every three woman, most often the abuser is a member of her own family. Domestic
violence was also considered the leading cause of injury to women, more often than car
accidents, muggings and rape combined. They also reported that up to 10 million children
witness some form of domestic violence annually. And the most striking report is that
more than 3 women are murdered by their husband or boyfriends in the US. According to
an article by Tess Raposas intitled Marriage and Violence: A Fatal Combination in the
Philippines, Where Divorce is Illegal, it was stated that intimate partner violence is the
most prevalent form of abuse against women in the Philippines but married women have
no why out because divorce is illegal in the Philippines and Malta who are considered a
stronghold of Christianity.
Who can be reprimanded by the law
Thirteen out of 35 respondents did not agree that only husbands can be accused of
violence. And 22 out of 35 agreed that only husbands can be reprimanded by the law.
According to the RA 9262 briefer, women can also be liable under the law. These can be
lesbian partners/girlfriends or former partners of the victim with whom she has or had a
sexual or dating relationship.
Marital Infidelity
All of the respondents answered that adultery can be a ground for a case under
VAWC. It is further stated in RA 9262 briefer that infidelity is a type of abuse that is
under psychological violence. So the affected partner can file a case of VAWC to her
abusive partner. According to RA 9262 it is sited as mental infidelity which means a
relationship between a person and someone other than his spouse or lover that has
impact on the level if intimacy, emotional distance and overall dynamic balance in the
marriage. The role of the affair is to create emotional distance in the marriage
(Wikipedia).
Perception about VAWC
Three of the respondents answered they will certainly report the incident, 9 said
they will most likely report the incident, 7 may not report and 15 will not report abuse.
For those who will and will not likely to report reasoned that they will try to save the
family and they want their children to have a good family structure. They also added that
they are financially incapable of living their husband and they might not sustain the needs
of their children when she is alone. Tania added that Gusto nako nay papa ang akoang
anak pag dako niya, mao dili nako siya I report. Maulaw pud ko ug mahadlok sa ingnon
sa mga tao nako labi na sa akoang mga pamilya kay ako baya gyud ang nagpili sa akoang
banahon, sila wala sila nisugot nga asawahon nako siya, nalibog ko kung unsaon nako.
( I was afraid of what others will talk behind my back and what will my family tell me,
Im embarrassed, Im confused all I want was to provide my child with a complete
family.) Why women dont leave abusive relationship is because she may have a little
money to support her children, she cannot seek help to his family and friends for help or
refuse to seek help. Or she may feel frightened, confused and embarrassed to leave
(womenshealth.gov).
For Elvie she seek help at the barangay council during the 1996 were VAWC was
not yet implemented she stated that Tong iyaha kung gitutukan ug pusil ni diretso ko ug
pangayo ug tabang sa barangay Kapitan, ang iyahang gi-ingon balikan lang daw nako
akoang bana kay pagmahal ra gihapon daw tong iyahang gibuhat ug dala ra to sa
kahubog. Mao pud ang gi ingon sa amoang pastor, pasay-luon nako akoang bana kay tao
ra siya makasala so ako daw ang magpasaylo kay asawa ko niya. Pero wala na ko nakig-
uli niya human sa 10 ka tuig nga pang abuso nakamatngon na ko muhawa na ko basi
mapatyan ko niya, ni sugot pud akoang uganggan nga babaye mao nibiya ko kauban
akoang mga anak. (When he pointed gun at me I went directly to our then barangay
Captain, and he just told me that I should forgive my husband because he did that only
because he was drunk and it was still a sign of love, my pastor also told me that I should
learn to forgive a thousand folds because I was his wife. But I tolerated his abuse for
almost 10 years so I decided to leave with the permission of my mother-in-law before my
husband kill me. I leave home together with my children.).
Reasons why there are women and children who are victims of violence
The common answers among the respondents are that the husband might be a
drunkard and he is under the influence of illegal drugs. According to Tania Ang akoang
bana naa siya mga amigo na nagasulsul niya ug mga pangit sa akoa kung mag-inom sila
mao kung mu-uli siya ako dayon iyahang pahimongtan, sa akoang tan-aw nagagamit pud
sila ug shabu. (My husband is a drunkard his friends talks bad about me so when he gets
home he abuse me, I think that he also use shabu). Elvie added that Nagsugod ug
pagkaviolente akoang bana tong naka trabaho siya sa CAFGU, naa naman gud siyay
barkada unya mang hagad niya ug inom, kung makainom siya iyaha nakong pasakitan
unya ug mahuwansan siya iyaha dayon ingnon nga wala siya nakahinumdom nga iyaha
kong gipasakitan. Sa trabaho pud niya nga CAFGU makadakop pud na sila ug mga tawo
nga gagamit ug droga, so siguro, pero wala ko kakita, nagagamit pud sila sa droga. (He
started hitting me when he was hired as a CAFGU. During this time he also started
drinking alcoholic beverage and I think as his work as a CAFGU they intercept people
who use drugs and they use the drugs to). In a study conducted by the National Institute
on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism stated that it was long before recognized the two-way
association between alcohol consumption and violent and abusive behavior. Alcohol
consumption was noted it promotes aggression and also victimization may promote
excessive alcohol intake. They also cited studies of direct effect of alcohol. It was stated
that alcohol encourages both aggression and violence by disrupting the brain motor
function. Alcohol weakens the brain mechanisms that normally restrain impulse
behaviors, including inappropriate aggression. Alcohol also impair information
processing, alcohol can also lead a person to misjudge social clues, thereby overreacting
to a perceived threat then simultaneously, a narrowing of attention may lead to an
inaccurate assessment of future risks of acting on an immediate violent impulse this is
according to the disinhibition hypothesis.
Elvie and other respondents (5 out of 35 respondents) added that the spouse
might come from a violent family. Evie says Ang iyahang papa in-ana man pud ug
ugali, sumbagon pud niya iyanag mama (My father-in-law also punches my mother-in-
law). Tania added kung mahubog akoang uganggan nga lalaki pasakitan pud niya ang
ugangan anko nga babaye (When my father-in law is drunk he abuses his wife). Even
children who only witness family violence may learn to imitate the role of the aggressor
or the victim; this set the stage of violence to persist over generation (Pubs.niaaa.nih.gov,
2000).
Three out of 35 respondents say that the wife may be to blame because the wife
might be a nagger, the wife maybe seen seeing somebody or the wife just have an ugly
behavior. They also added that children are also physically and verbally abused by their
father because they dont listen and do things that they are asked to do. From these
responses it can be deduced that the community practice victim blame, this practice will
further create a tolerance for domestic violence (E. Garcia; Unreported cases of domestic
violence against women: towards an epidemiology of social silence, tolerance, and
inhibition, 2004).

Reporting of witnessed domestic violence in the community
Out of the 35 respondents 10 answered that they will report, 11 will likely to
report. 13 will not likely to report and 1 will not report. Those who answered those who
will not and will not likely to report rationalized there answers that domestic problems
must only concern those who are members of the family they considered it as private
problem. They are also afraid that they will be accused as chismosa and they are also
afraid that the abusive father may harm them as well if they interfere with the abused
family. A CNN documentary stated that in 2003, Refuge (an organization that protect
abused women) conducted a survey of 1000K UK households which found that 42 % of
people had witnessed someone being verbally or physically abused by their partner in a
social situation but they bothered not to report because they consider domestic violence
as a private matter. Sandra Holer added that by failing to speak out against domestic
violence , we condone and minimize it which give permission to men to continue their
violence. Lastly she emphasized that domestic violence is not a private issue, it is a social
issue as well as a political issue and a moral issue and above all it is a crime and we
should help each other to end it (Goldsmith, T; 2014, What Causes Domestic Violence).

Chapter V




SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS



Summary
During the conduct of problem prioritization for community diagnosis, the
community members listed the knowledge about VAWC as their number 6 problem and
added that there are several unreported cases of domestic violence in the barangay. For
these reasons, the researchers, wanted to know the communitys, particularly the married
women, knowledge on VAWC regarding marital rape, man destroying properties, verbal
abuse, economic abuse, childrens right to education, physical abuse, who will be
reprimanded by the VAWC act and lastly about marital infidelity. The community
perceptions on whether they would report about domestic violence performed to them,
their perception on why are there woman and children who are victims of domestic abuse
and lastly, whether they will report any domestic violence they have witnessed.
All married women are invited to participate in this study but only 35 married
women participated the conduct of the study. Descriptive-quantitative study design was
used. Interview schedule was utilized during house to house interview.
Results of the study showed that 27 out of 35 respondents have a good knowledge
regarding VAWC basing on an 8 item question. All of the respondents that marital rape,
physical abuse, sole economic control and marital infidelity are examples of violence
against women. Twenty-seven considered not sending their children to school as violence
performed to children. Ten of the respondents considered destroying properties as
violence against women, and only 6 among 35 respondents considered verbal abuse as a
violation to womens rights. In this results it can be deduced that Purok 4 of Barangay is
still with practicing some of the traditional beliefs that it is okay for men to destroy things
and for them to verbally abusive for they believe that men should act aggressively, and
there are 8 respondents who are okay with not sending children to school because of lack
of financial support from the family income. Perceptions regarding VAWC, majority of
the respondents responded that if they experience violence from their intimate partner
they will not report mainly to save the unity of their family and for their children to enjoy
the company with their father. The respondents commented that there are women and
children because these man might be a drunkard or under the influence of drugs. Others
say that the victims are to blame because they are hard-headed and they might engage in
unacceptable practices or behavior. Lastly they are ask about whether they would report
any known domestic violence in the community, majority of the respondents will not
report such because these are considered private problems.
Recommendations
To the local leaders:
Implement a policy on how, to whom and the process of reporting domestic
violence.
Schedule a lecture about VAWC and the womens rights by a CSSDO educator.

To the local health officer:
Educate the BHW about the early signs of abuse in a family.
Implement a program on VAWC how to diagnose it and how to manage or
prevent it.

To the BHWs:
Attend seminars about Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children to better
educate the community members.

To the Community:
Attend lectures about VAWC and do not treat domestic violence as a private
matter.

To the Future researchers:
Conduct a study to determine the concept of VAWC reporting in the community
level.
Conduct a study on the experiences and attitude of women who seek help for
domestic violence.
BIBLIOGRAPHY




1. Bristol Fawcette, 2008. Men, Women, Abuse and Violence Booklet
2. Womens Aid, www.womensaid.org.uk
3. www.irinnews.org/report
4. www.davaocity.gov)
5. Domesticviolencestatistics.org
6. Raposas, Marriage and Domestic Violence : A Fatal Combination in the Philippines,
Where Divorce is Illegal www.alternet.org
7. NIAAA, October 2000, Understanding impact of alcohol on human health and well-
being http://www.niaaa.nih.gov.
8. Republic Act 9262 The Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of
2004, a Briefer
9. Global AIDS Alliance, August 2006, Zero Tolerance: Stop the Violence Against
Women and Children, Stop HIV/AIDS www.globalaidsalliance.org
10. Treas J and Giesen D, Sexual infidelity among married and cohabiting
Americans, Journal of Marriage and the Family, 2000, 62(1):48-60
11. Ysmael, January 2012. Lumen: a Case Study on Domestic Violence
12. . (Dr. Yarin Erluk, UN special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women, 2006)
13. (One Billion Rising Philippines, 2013).
14. (A Deeper Look at Violence against Women: The Philippine Case, 2000).
15. (www.newvoicecompany.com
16. Sunstar Davao last September 2013
17. 2008 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS)
18. . (Rape Crisis England and Wales, 2014).
19. . (Yoshihama and Sorenson, 1994).
20. .(Hyden, 1995).
21. (E. Garcia, Unreported cases of domestic violence against women: towards an
epidemiology of social silence, tolerance, and inhibition, 2004).
22. . (Alexander, 1993).
23. by Laisser et al, last 2011
24. What causes Domestic Violence, Toby Goldsmith, 2013
25. Republic Act 9262 Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children 2004,
Briefer
26. the Society for Disabilities Study last 2007
27. . Department of Interior and Local Government, National Barangay Operations
Office, 2004).
28. Patricia Evan's book The Verbally Abusive Relationship
29. The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
30. (Pubs.niaaa.nih.gov, 2000).
31.

APPENDIX A




INTERVIEW SCHEDULE OUTLINE
NATURE AND REASONS OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN
AND THEIR CHILDREN OF BARANGAY CADALIAN BAGUIO DISTRICT
Questionnaire

1. Hibalo ka ba sa balaud nga RA 9262 o ang Anti-Violence Against Women and
their Children Act of 2004? (Are you aware about the Law RA 9262 otherwise
known as the Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act of 2004?)

a. 00 b. wala
2.Asa man nimo nahibaw-an ang bahin sa balaud nga RA 9262? (Where did you learn
about the RA 9262?)
5. Kinahanglan pa ba nimo nga makahibalo pa bahin sa VAWC?
Oo Dili
6. Mu-attend ka ba kung nay ipahigayon nga lecture bahin sa VAWC?
Oo Dili

7. Ang walay pagtugot nga pakigsekso is aba sa pag lapas sa VAWC?

Oo Dili
8. Ang panguba ug mga gamit sa balay isa pud bang klase sa pang abuso?
Oo Dili
9. Ang makasakit nga panulti paglapas pud ba kini sa VAWC?
Oo Dili
10. Ang inusara nga pagkontrol sa kwarta sa pamilya isa pud ba nga klase sa pang-
abuso?
Oo Dili
11. Ang dili pagsuporta sa mga bata sa pag-eskwela paglapas pud ba kini sa VAWC?
Oo Dili
12. Ang pisikal nga pang abuso isa pud ba nga Klase sa pag lapas sa VAWC?
Oo Dili
13. Mga bana lang ba ang pwde saad sa balaud nga VAWC?
Oo Dili
14. Ang pangabit pwde ba nga isa kahinungdan sa paglapas sa balaod nga Anti-
VAWC law?
Oo Dili



PERCEPTION:

1. Kung ikaw naka sinati ug pang abuso gikan sa imohang bana, i-report ba nimo
siya barangay?

OO____
PWDE NAKO ISUMBONG____
MURAG DILI NAKO ISUMBONG_____
DILI____

2. Kung dili nimo siya isumbong unsa imohang mga rason?
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
________________________

3. Sa imohnag tan-aw nganong nay mga bata ug mga babaye nga nakasinati ug
mga pang-abuso?
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
________________________


4. KUNG NAA KAY NAHIBAWAN NGA IMOHANG SILINGAN NGA
GINA-ABUSO ISUMBONG MO BA KINI SA OTORIDAD?

OO___
PWDE NGA ISUMBONG___
MURAG DILI NAKO ISUMBONG___
DILI___

5. KUNG DILI NIMO ISUMBONG SA MGA OTORIDAD UNSA IMOHANG
HINUNGDAN?
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
________________________

SALAMAT SA IMOHANG PANAHON


APPENDIX B
PATIENT INFORMATION AND INFORMED CONSENT

Project Title: Stories of Eve: Womens Knowledge and Perception on VAWC in
Barangay Cadalian, Baguio District
Investigators: Cherie Anne V. Songcaya; Cherrie A. Tapia
Purpose and Conduct of Study:
This study aims to know the knowledge and perception of women about VAWC
in Purok 4, Barangay Cadalian, Baguio District, Davao City.
This study is limited to the knowledge and perception of the women in barangay
Cadalian about VAWC. If you are a survivor of VAWC we would like to include
your story in our research paper. This study will be conducted exclusively in Purok 4,
Barangay Cadalian, Baguio District, Davao City. The duration of the study will be
from March 24-26, 2014.
Risk and Inconveniences:
Since the data will be gathered through interview schedule at your own homes,
there are no risks involved. You will not experience any physical discomfort.
Possible Benefits for the Participants:
You will become aware of the Anti-VAWC law. And the possible act that can be
a ground for a lawsuit for VAWC. You will also know about your right as a woman
in the family.
Voluntariness of Participation:
You are free of any coercion in participating. You may withdraw from the study
anytime if you wish.
Confidentiality
Any information obtained from the interview schedule will be kept confidential.
The data gathered will be kept safe in the records section of the Community Medicine
office in Davao Medical School Foundation, Inc. Only the researchers will be able to
handle these records.



CONSENT FORM
I have read and understood the above information and had been given the
opportunity to consider and ask questions on the information regarding the involvement
in this study. I have received a copy of this Patient Information and Informed Consent
Form. I will voluntarily agree to participate.

Patients Signature:

___________________ _____________________________
___________________
PATIENTS NAME SIGNATURE
DATE




Physicians Signature:
I, the undersigned, certify that to the best of my knowledge, the patient signing
this consent form has read the above information sheet fully, that this has been carefully
explained to her, and that she clearly understands the nature, risks, and benefits.

_________________________ _______________________
_____________________
PHYSICIANS NAME SIGNITURE
DATE