Press Release
May 20, 2009

Pia urges 'sex scandal' victims to press charges vs. violators

Senator Pia S. Cayetano today called on women victims of "sex scandal videos" circulating in the internet and being peddled like pirated DVD movies in public, to file court cases against their violators for causing them emotional and psychological anguish and violating their privacy.

Cayetano, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Social Justice, said the victims who without their knowledge and consent were videotaped by their partners while performing a sexual act, usually refuse to file charges to avoid further public humiliation.

"It is not difficult to understand why most of them decide to remain silent or retreat to ignominy instead of fighting it out in court because the pain and humiliation they have to go through is unthinkable. Their privacy is actually violated over and over with every hit on the internet, or whenever a copy of their compromising video is sold or passed on to the next viewer."

She said sex scandal victims not only include ordinary citizens but also known personalities who figured in recent sex scandal videos.

"I join my colleagues in condemning such inhuman and illegal acts. As a woman, I sympathize with the victims and urge them to link up with women's support groups which can be their pillars of strength during this trying time in their life. Pressing charges is a difficult process emotionally. But if they can endure it, it will help put a stop to this cycle of violation of women's rights on the internet and in other forms."

She intends to file her own version and push for the approval of the proposed "Anti-Video Voyeurism Act" in the Senate which seeks to prohibit and penalize the recording of private acts, including the possession, sharing and exhibit of said materials.

Cayetano, a lawyer, said victims could resort to filing charges against their violators under Republic Act No.9262 ("AN ACT DEFINING VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND THEIR CHILDREN, PROVIDING FOR PROTECTIVE MEASURES FOR VICTIMS, PRESCRIBING PENALTIES THEREFORE, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES").

She said sex video scandals could be defined as a form of violence under Section 5, Letter 1 of said law, which states: "Causing mental or emotional anguish, public ridicule or humiliation to the woman or her child, including, but not limited to, repeated verbal and emotional abuse, and denial of financial support or custody of minor children of access to the woman's child/children."

Violators of this provision shall be punished by 'prision mayor' ranging from six years and one day to twelve years, and a fine of not less than P100,000, but not more than P300,000. The violator will also be made to undergo mandatory psychological counseling or psychiatric treatment.

News Latest News Feed