The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) commends Senate Bill (SB) No. 2897, which seeks to further strengthen the Safe Spaces Act. Enacted in 2019, this landmark law reinforces the State’s commitment to combat gender-based sexual harassment in streets, schools, establishments, markets, workplaces, and recreational spaces, among others.
Notably, the bill expands the scope of public spaces to explicitly include areas whether in urban or rural settings. It incorporates fields and farms, coastal areas, and multi-purpose halls, further reinforcing protection in diverse environments where gender-based harassment can occur. SB 2897 also introduces the concept of grooming, defining it as “a predatory act or pattern of acts intended to establish a relationship of trust or emotional connection with a child, for the purpose of perpetrating sexual abuse or exploitation.”[1]
As the Gender and Child Ombud of the country, the CHR welcomes this strengthened effort to hold offenders accountable for blatant harassment and inherently discriminatory acts, known to be commonly committed against women, children, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Furthermore, SB 2897 introduces a new provision—Section 21-A—which strengthens protection for gender-based sexual harassment in educational and training institutions. Under this proposed section, any sexually inappropriate conduct that undermines a child’s dignity and is deemed “unwelcome, unreasonable, and offensive” will be criminalized. This includes verbal, physical, and technology-facilitated acts, such as harassment through text messages, emails, and other forms of digital communication.
The bill also recognizes the role of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies in facilitating gender-based online sexual harassment. Additionally, the proposed measure allows victims to apply for a protection order to prevent further violations, broadening the reliefs provided under the law.
We commend the efforts of our legislators, particularly Senators Risa Hontiveros, Raffy Tulfo, Robin Padilla, and Cynthia Villar, for advancing this initiative to foster a culture of respect and protection for all. After all, every stakeholder plays a vital role in proactively creating safe spaces and engaging in measures to prevent gender-based harassment and violence.
The proposed amendments to the Safe Spaces Act are a crucial step toward ensuring that all spaces, whether physical or digital, urban or rural, remain safe and inclusive for everyone. Together, let us transform policies into real, lived safeguards, where dignity is upheld, voices are protected, and every Filipino can move through life with the assurance of safety and respect. Let us continue working towards creating #SafeSpaces for a truly #InclusiveSociety. ###
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[1] Senate Bill No. 2897, An Act Amending Republic Act No. 11313 Otherwise Known As The ‘Safe Spaces Act’ And For Other Purposes, https://web.senate.gov.ph/lis/bill_res.aspx?congress=19&q=SBN-2897