On May 21, Filipino actress Nadine Lustre formally filed a complaint under the Safe Spaces Act due to the “relentless and malicious attacks she has endured” from individuals harassing her on social media. Incoming Mamamayang Liberal (ML) partylist Representative Leila de Lima quickly took to Facebook to show her support for the actress, citing her complaint as a “necessary step” to hold online harassers accountable for their actions. “Ginagamit ang mga plataporma para buwagin ang makabuluhang diskurso at palitan ito ng galit at paninira,” wrote de Lima.
For those unfamiliar, the Safe Spaces Act (Republic Act No. 11313), otherwise known as the Bawal Bastos Law, was put in place in 2019 to protect Filipinos from gender-based sexual harassment in a variety of places, including schools, workplaces, and on online platforms. Before the act was enacted, sexual harassment was punishable under the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995, which only applied when the perpetrator was a person of authority.
First-time offenders now face a fine of P50,000 to P100,000, mandatory suspension from work for at least six months without pay, and are required to complete an anti-harassment training program certified by accredited institutions. Repeat offenders face harsher penalties, including a mandatory public apology.
The Gabriela Women’s Party, which has long been vocal about pushing for stiffer penalties for sexual harassment cases in the country, also voiced their support for Lustre pursuing legal action against her attackers. “[Lustre’s] case highlights the alarming reality that women who speak out on political and social issues are systematically targeted with harassment to silence them,” incumbent Gabriela Representative Arlene Brosas told ABS-CBN.
