The Implementation of Violence Against Women and their Children (VAWC) Program in Pili, Camarines Sur: An Assessment
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21222574Keywords:
frequency of violence, women, children, violence against women and children, program implementation, PNPAbstract
Violence Against Women and their Children (VAWC) remains a major public concern worldwide. In the Philippines, Republic Act No. 9262 provides the legal framework for addressing VAWC, yet effective protection depends on local implementation. This study assessed the level of implementation of the VAWC program in Pili for C.Y. 2025–2026 to inform policy development. Using a descriptive-correlational design, data were gathered from 45 identified female survivors of intimate partner violence through a 5-point Likert scale questionnaire measuring the frequency of six forms of abuse and the implementation of corresponding police programs. Weighted mean, frequency count, Spearman’s rho, and t-test were used for analysis at α = 0.05. Findings showed that physical (3.99), emotional (3.57), and financial/economic abuse (3.55) occurred often, while psychological (2.52), sexual (2.75), and social abuse (2.43) were reported less frequently. Program implementation was strongest for sexual abuse protection (4.15) and psychological support (4.09), but weakest for physical abuse prevention (2.51) and financial/economic abuse mitigation (2.38). Correlation analysis revealed only one significant relationship: a strong negative correlation between sexual abuse frequency and sexual abuse protection measures (ρ = −0.738, p = 0.046), indicating that stronger interventions were associated with lower abuse incidence. The findings highlight a mismatch between the most prevalent forms of abuse and the least implemented interventions, underscoring the need for strengthened frontline capacity. Accordingly, the proposed policy agenda, Empowering the Frontliners, emphasizes enhanced training, funding, and coordinated protocols for the Philippine National Police and Barangay VAWC desks to improve prevention and response.
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