According to data from City Halls Integrated Gender and Development Division, most of the women victims of domestic violence end up not filing any case against their abusive spouses. Many incur heavy expenses as they try to pursue their case. In many instances, the legal expenses dissuaded victims from filing cases.
By Rolando Pinsoy
davaotoday.com
DAVAO CITY For much of the eight years that she was married to her husband, Kathy endured the violence.
The abuse occurred practically every day. The last straw was last year, when he kicked her on the forehead. The kick was such that her head slammed the wall.
Kathy, a 33-year-old mother of two from Ma-a, immediately decided that enough was enough. She filed a case in court against her husband, and demanded custody of the children and monthly financial support from him.
Kathy, in a way, is fortunate because her family supports her, particularly in the expenses she incurs more than 2,000 pesos per hearing — each time the court hears her case against him. But the case still drags on.
Depressing, she said. The case is not really moving at all. I might become another statistic listed among the dropped cases. I have not even reached the middle part of my legal struggle.
Kathys case is just one of the dozens of cases filed against spouses that have not prospered in court. According to data from City Halls Integrated Gender and Development Division, most of the women victims in these cases end up not filing any case against their abusive spouses. Many, like Kathy, incur heavy expenses as they try to pursue their case. In many instances, the legal expenses involved dissuaded victims from filing cases.
In the months from August to December 2003, 37 cases were filed. Of these, three were able to get a Barangay Protection Order against the husband (this is like a restraining order), one got a Temporary Protection Order, two were settled amicably, nine filed cases, while the majority 22 — did not file a case at all.
Out of the 58 cases monitored in 2004, 36 were not formally filed in court.
Taking note of these data, the Davao City mayors office has recently hired five lawyers to assist victims of domestic violence.
Gender Issues
