Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has signed a bill into law that criminalizes certain sexual harassment such as catcalling, wolf-whistling, intrusive gazing, cursing, misogynistic acts, and the persistent telling of sexual jokes in public places.
The bill, known as the Safe Spaces Act, was pushed by Sen. Risa Hontiveros who stated that the law was necessary to stifle “the growing ‘rude culture’ in our streets and communities”.
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In addition to the penalizing the above acts, the bill also outlaws exposing private parts, groping, and unwanted sexual advances whether verbal or physical in nature if they violate a person’s space or physical safety.
Public places including schools, cinemas, workplaces, bars, and restaurants will be required to put up signs warning against the types of sexual harassment laid out in the bill.
Depending on the severity of the crime, a fine or imprisonment will be levied against the perpetrator.
The signing of the law by Duterte was seen as a surprise by many considering the Filipino authoritarian leader had made his fair share of misogynistic statements and sexual jokes since assuming the presidency.
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