Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004, RA 9262: Explainer

“Violence against women and their children” (VAWC) – 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, or with whom he has a common child, or 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. (Section 3[a], R.A. 9262, Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004)

“Battery” – refers to an act of inflicting physical harm upon the woman or her child resulting to the physical and psychological or emotional distress. (Section 3[b], Ibid.)

“Battered Woman Syndrome” – refers to a scientifically defined pattern of psychological and behavioral symptoms found in women living in battering relationships as a result of cumulative abuse. (Section 3[c], Ibid.)

“Stalking” – refers to an intentional act committed by a person who, knowingly and without lawful justification follows the woman or her child or places the woman or her child under surveillance directly or indirectly or a combination thereof. (Section 3[d], Ibid.)

“Dating relationship” – refers to a situation wherein the parties live as husband and wife without the benefit of marriage or are romantically involved ...