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No More Catcalling: Awareness of College of Criminal Justice
Education Students on Republic Act 11313 Also Known as Safe
Spaces Act
Luningning M. Mendoza, Chenie May R. Sumande, Mamerto C. Mendoza
College of Criminal Justice Education, Occidental Mindoro State College
DOI:
https://dx.doi.org/10.47772/IJRISS.2025.910000074
Received: 12 October 2025; Accepted: 18 October 2025; Published: 04 November 2025
ABSTRACT
Due to the increasing cases of gender-based sexual harassment in public spaces, online platforms, workplaces,
and educational or training institutions, this study was conducted to assess the extent of students’ understanding
of the Republic Act 11313 and to give insights that may guide future gender sensitivity programs and policy
implementations in higher education institutions. The researchers employed survey research design and
conducted in the Occidental Mindoro State College Sablayan Campus in Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro. The
respondents were 292 CCJE students of the said campus. Validated survey questionnaire was used as instrument
of the study and were administered through online using google form. In data analysis, frequency, percentage
and mean were utilized in this study. This study found that most of the respondents were 21-25 years old, BS
Industrial Security Management students, first year college and belonged to lower class socio- economic status.
Moreover, the respondents were very aware and fully understand the Republic Act 11313 and its key provisions.
Keywords: Catcalling, RA 11313, Safe Spaces Act, Gender, Sexual Harassment
INTRODUCTION
Sexual harassment has become widespread in public places, on social media platform, work places and even in
educational and training institutions all over the world [8].
A study conducted in Spain showed that one in five adolescents confirmed being victims of sexual harassment
or homophobic bullying. Among these students, half said that they felt bothered by the harassment or bullying
[11].
In Canada, adult women also experienced sexual harassment. Phillips et al. (2019) conducted a study among
medical students who had immersion in an environment where power imbalances are tangible, between doctors
and patients, teachers and students, and men and women wherein discussion and exposure of body parts and
sexual functions are also normal in this setting. The results showed that the offender of sexual harassment were
predominantly patients 40.39 %, followed by peers or other students 39.65 % and faculty 19.95%. These abuses
made the students to felt mixed emotions of being confused, betrayed, angry, disrespected, ashamed and
degraded. However, the most worrying effect of sexual harassment on the students was that they could not do or
say anything about it for fear of consequences. If the harassment was done by a patient or a teacher, these students
were scared that they would obtain a poor performance evaluation which could affect their academic
performance or their job opportunities in the future [5].
The study of Social Weather Stations in 2016 found that women are most exposed to sexual harassment. In
Quezon City, Philippines, three in five women were sexually harassed at least once in their lifetime. Among the
respondents of the study ages 18 to 24, 88% experienced street harassment at least once. Wolf whistling and
catcalling were the most experienced cases across ages 12 to 25 [13].
In 2018, the National Capital Region Police Office recorded a total of 3,791 cases of sexual harassment against
women and Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Senior Supt. Bernard Banac mentioned that
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ISSN No. 2454-6186 | DOI: 10.47772/IJRISS | Volume IX Issue IX October 2025
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catcalling and other forms of harassment against women should not be blamed on their clothing [3].
Moreover, a 20-year-old man was arrested by the Quezon City police for verbally harassing his neighbor in
violation of a landmark Quezon City ordinance that prohibits catcalling. He asked for her cell phone number,
called her "Beh" (Filipino slang for baby) several times and said he wished he were one of her pets. Man
explained he did not know there was an ordinance prohibiting catcalling "But every man … in the Philippines
should know that harassment in any form is unacceptable," the victim posted in the social media [7].
To address existing gaps and issues on equality, security, and safety of both women and men in private and
public spaces, The Republic of the Philippines created the RA 11313 known as the Safe Spaces Act or the Bawal
Bastos Act. The Safe Spaces Act is intended to expand the scope of the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995 or
Republic Act No. 7877. President Rodrigo Duterte signed this law on April 17 [2].
With this context, the researchers were motivated to determine the level of awareness of College of Criminal
Justice Education students in Occidental Mindoro State College- Sablayan on Republic Act 11313.
Objectives
1. Identify the profile of the respondents in terms of age, course, year level and socio-economic status of
the family.
2. Determine the level of awareness of the respondents on Republic Act 11313 in terms of gender – based
streets and public spaces sexual harassment; gender – based online sexual harassment; qualified gender
– based streets, public spaces and online sexual harassment; gender – based sexual harassment in the
workplace; and gender- based sexual harassment in education and training institutions.
METHODOLOGY
This study utilized a descriptive survey research design and was conducted in the Occidental Mindoro State
College Sablayan Campus in Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro. The respondents were 292 CCJE students of the
said campus who were selected using stratified random sampling to ensure fair representation across year levels.
Validated survey questionnaire was used as instrument of the study. There were 2 parts of the questionnaire, the
part 1 was for the profile of the respondents. Part 2 were questions on the level of awareness on RA 11313. Five
–point Likert scale was used in the level of awareness (5- extremely aware, 4 - very aware, 3 - moderately aware,
2 – slightly aware, 1- not all aware. The researchers asked permission from the program heads of CCJE and
from the student respondents prior to the conduct of the study. The online survey was done through google form.
In data analysis, the researchers used excel in calculation. Statistical tools such as frequency and percentage was
employed to describe the profile of the respondents. To determine the level of awareness of the respondents on
RA 11313, mean was utilized.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
A. Results
Table 1 presents the profile of the respondent’s age, course, year level and socio-economic status of the family.
In terms of age, majority of the respondents were 21-25 years old (49.31%). Most of the students came from BS
Industrial Security Management (56.5%) who were in first year college (40.8%). Mostly belong to lower class
(90.1%).
Table I Profile Of The Respondents
Profile of the respondents
Frequency n= 292
Percentage
• Age
18 -20
137
46.92
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21-25
144
49.31
26-30
8
2.74
31 onwards
3
1.03
• Course
BS Criminology
74
25.3
BS Industrial Security Management
165
56.5
BS Law Enforcement Administration
53
18.2
• Year level
First year
119
40.8
Second year
47
16.1
Third year
69
23.6
Fourth year
57
19.5
• Socio-economic status
Upper Class (Family income is greater than P210,000 per
month)
12
4.1
Middle Class (Family income is P21,000 – P210, 000 income per
month)
29
5.8
Lower Class (Family income is less than P21,000 per month)
263
90.1
Level of awareness of the respondents on Republic Act 11313 in terms of gender – based streets and public
spaces sexual harassment; gender – based online sexual harassment; qualified gender – based streets, public
spaces and online sexual harassment; gender – based sexual harassment in the workplace; and gender- based
sexual harassment in education and training institutions
Table 2 shows the level of awareness of the CCJE students on Republic Act 11313. In terms of Gender – based
streets and public spaces sexual harassment, the over-all mean was 3.54 which was interpreted as very aware. It
means that the respondents were very familiar with the Article 1 of RA 11313 which stated that sexual
harassment includes catcalling, wolf-whistling, unwanted invitations, misogynistic, transphobic, homophobic
and sexist slurs, persistent uninvited comments or gestures on a person’s appearance, relentless requests for
personal details, statement of sexual comments and suggestions, public masturbation or flashing of private parts,
groping, or any advances, whether verbal or physical, that is unwanted and has threatened one’s sense of personal
space and physical safety.
Table II Level Of Awareness Of The Respondents On Republic Act 11313
Mean
Gender – based streets and public spaces sexual harassment
1. Gender-based streets and public spaces sexual harassment includes
catcalling, wolf-whistling, unwanted invitations, misogynistic, transphobic,
homophobic and sexist slurs, persistent uninvited comments or gestures on a
person’s appearance, relentless requests for personal details, statement of sexual
comments and suggestions, public masturbation or flashing of private parts, groping,
or any advances, whether verbal or physical, that is unwanted and has threatened
one’s sense of personal space and physical safety, and committed in public spaces
3.60
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such as alleys, roads, sidewalks and parks.
2. Restaurants and Cafes, Bars and Clubs, Resorts and Water Parks, Hotels and
Casinos, Cinemas, Malls, Buildings and Other Privately-Owned Places Open to the
Public are obliged to provide assistance to victims of gender-based sexual
harassment by coordinating with local police authorities immediately after gender-
based sexual harassment is reported, making CCTV footage available when ordered
by the court, and providing a safe gender-sensitive environment to encourage
victims to report gender-based sexual harassment at the first instance.
3.64
3. The minimum penalty for Gender-based sexual harassment in streets and
public space is fine of one thousand pesos (P1,000.00) and community service of
twelve (12) hours inclusive of attendance to a Gender Sensitivity Seminar while the
maximumis penalty is arresto mayor in its maximum period or a fine of one hundred
thousand pesos (P100,000.00).
3.39
Over-all Mean
3.54
Gender – based online sexual harassment
4. Gender-based online sexual harassment includes acts that use information
and communications technology in terrorizing and intimidating victims through
physical, psychological, and emotional threats, unwanted sexual misogynistic,
transphobic, homophobic and sexist remarks and comments online whether publicly
or through direct and private messages, invasion of victim’s privacy through
cyberstalking and incessant messaging, uploading and sharing without the consent
of the victim, any form of media that contains photos, voice, or video with sexual
content, any unauthorized recording and sharing of any of the victim’s photos,
videos, or any information online, impersonating identities of victims online or
posting lies about victims to harm their reputation, or filing, false abuse reports to
online platforms to silence victims.
3.64
5. For gender-based online sexual harassment, the PNP Anti-Cybercrime
Group (PNPACG) as the National Operational Support Unit of the PNP is primarily
responsible for the implementation of pertinent Philippine laws on cybercrime, shall
receive complaints of gender-based online sexual harassment and develop an online
mechanism for reporting real-time gender-based online sexual harassment acts and
apprehend perpetrators.
3.72
6. The penalty of prison correctional in its medium period or a fine of not less
than One hundred thousand pesos (₱100,000.00) but not more than Five hundred
thousand pesos (₱500,000.00), or both, at the discretion of the court shall be imposed
upon any person found guilty of any gender-based online sexual harassment.
3.43
Over-all Mean
3.60
Qualified gender – based streets, public spaces and online sexual harassment
7. It is considered as Qualified Gender-Based Streets, Public Spaces Sexual
harassment if the act takes place in a common carrier or PUV, including, but not
limited to, jeepneys, taxis, tricycles, or app-based transport network vehicle services,
where the perpetrator is the driver of the vehicle and the offended party is a
passenger in which the penalty next higher in degree
3.57
8. It considered as Qualified Gender-Based Streets, Public Spaces Sexual
harassment if the offended party is a minor, a senior citizen, or a person with
disability (PWD), or a breastfeeding mother nursing her child in which he penalty
next higher in degree
3.60
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9. It considered as Qualified Gender-Based Streets, Public Spaces Sexual
harassment if the perpetrator is a member of the uniformed services, such as the PNP
and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and the act was perpetrated while
the perpetrator was in uniform in which the penalty in which he penalty next higher
in degree.
3.60
Over-all Mean
3.59
Gender-Based Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
10. The crime of gender-based sexual harassment in the workplace includes an
act or series of acts involving any unwelcome sexual advances, requests or demand
for sexual favors or any act of sexual nature, whether done verbally, physically or
through the use of technology such as text messaging or electronic mail or through
any other forms of information and communication systems, that has or could have
a detrimental effect on the conditions of an individual’s employment or education,
job performance or opportunities.
3.66
11. The crime of gender-based sexual harassment in the workplace includes a
conduct of sexual nature and other conduct-based on sex affecting the dignity of a
person, which is unwelcome, unreasonable, and offensive to the recipient, whether
done verbally, physically or through the use of technology such as text messaging
or electronic mail or through any other forms of information and communication
systems.
3.64
12. The crime of gender-based sexual harassment in the workplace includes a
conduct that is unwelcome and pervasive and creates an intimidating, hostile or
humiliating environment for the recipient: Provided, That the crime of gender-based
sexual harassment may also be committed between peers and those committed to a
superior officer by a subordinate, or to a teacher by a student, or to a trainer by a
trainee.
3.67
Over-all Mean
3.66
Gender-Based Sexual Harassment In Educational And Training Institutions
13. All schools, whether public or private, shall designate an officer-in-charge
to receive complaints regarding violations of this Act, and shall, ensure that the
victims are provided with a gender-sensitive environment that is both respectful to
the victims’ needs and conducive to truth-telling.
3.75
14. Every school must adopt and publish grievance procedures to facilitate the
filing of complaints by students and faculty members. Even if an individual does not
want to file a complaint or does not request that the school take any action on behalf
of a student or faculty member and school authorities have knowledge or reasonably
know about a possible or impending act of gender-based sexual harassment or sexual
violence, the school should promptly investigate to determine the veracity of such
information or knowledge and the circumstances under which the act of gender-
based sexual harassment or sexual violence were committed, and take appropriate
steps to resolve the situation.
3.75
15. Once a perpetrator is found guilty, the educational institution may reserve
the right to strip the diploma from the perpetrator or issue an expulsion order.
3.65
Over-all Mean
3.72
Grand Mean
3.62
Scale: 0 -1.49 = Not all aware, 1.50-2.49 = Slightly aware, 2.50 – 3.49 = Moderately aware, 3.50- 4.49 = Very
aware, 4.50-5.49= Extremely aware
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The minimum penalty for Gender-based sexual harassment in streets and public space is fine of one thousand
pesos (P1,000.00) and community service of twelve (12) hours inclusive of attendance to a Gender Sensitivity
Seminar while the maximum is penalty is arresto mayor in its maximum period or a fine of one hundred thousand
pesos (P100,000.00).
Similarly , in terms of Gender – based online sexual harassment, respondents were very aware ( mean = 3.63)
which implies that CCJE students were very cognizant of the forms sexual harassment occur in the virtual world
such as acts that use information and communications technology in terrorizing and intimidating victims through
physical, psychological, and emotional threats, unwanted sexual misogynistic, transphobic, homophobic and
sexist remarks and comments online whether publicly or through direct and private messages, invasion of
victim’s privacy through cyberstalking and incessant messaging, uploading and sharing without the consent of
the victim, any form of media that contains photos, voice, or video with sexual content, any unauthorized
recording and sharing of any of the victim’s photos, videos, or any information online, impersonating identities
of victims online or posting lies about victims to harm their reputation, or filing, false abuse reports to online
platforms to silence victims.
The respondents were very aware (mean =3.59) on the qualified gender – based streets, public spaces and online
sexual harassment - if the offended party is a minor, a senior citizen, or a person with disability (PWD), or a
breastfeeding mother nursing her child in which her penalty next higher in degree. Also, if the perpetrator is a
member of the uniformed services, such as the PNP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and the act
was perpetrated while the perpetrator was in uniform in which the penalty in which he penalty next higher in
degree.
In terms of gender-based sexual harassment in the workplace, the respondents were very aware with over-all
mean of 3.66 which means that they were well informed that this crime includes an act or series of acts involving
any unwelcome sexual advances, requests or demand for sexual favors or any act of sexual nature, whether done
verbally, physically or through the use of technology such as text messaging or electronic mail or through any
other forms of information and communication systems, that has or could have a detrimental effect on the
conditions of an individual’s employment or education, job performance or opportunities. Moreover, the crime
of gender-based sexual harassment may also be committed between peers and those committed to a superior
officer by a subordinate, or to a teacher by a student, or to a trainer by a trainee.
The respondents were very aware (over-all mean = 3.72) of gender-based sexual harassment in educational and
training institutions. This implies that they were familiar with the article 5 of the RA11313 that every school
must adopt and publish grievance procedures to facilitate the filing of complaints by students and faculty
members. Even if an individual does not want to file a complaint or does not request that the school take any
action on behalf of a student or faculty member and school authorities have knowledge or reasonably know about
a possible or impending act of gender-based sexual harassment or sexual violence, the school should promptly
investigate to determine the veracity of such information or knowledge and the circumstances under which the
act of gender-based sexual harassment or sexual violence were committed, and take appropriate steps to resolve
the situation.
In general, the respondents were very aware (grand mean = 3.62) which means that as CCJE students they were
well informed of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act 11313 because they will be future
implementers of this act. The highest mean (3.72) was on gender-based sexual harassment in educational and
training institutions which implies that they were very acquainted with duties and responsibilities of educational
institutions on issues of sexual harassment since they are students. While the lowest mean ( 3.59) was on
qualified gender – based streets, public spaces and online sexual harassment which means that they still need to
more information on this area since RA 11313 is just a new law.
DISCUSSION
The respondents were very aware of the new Republic Act 11313. This means that OMSC strategies such as
inclusion in the syllabus of the discussion of Gender and Development related topic at the start of every semester
and conducting webinars that tackled Safe Spaces Act during the pandemic which were participated by the
student respondents were effective. This is similar to the findings of Borito and Yango (2022) who investigated
the 374 respondents of Pamantasan ng Cabuyao on their level of awareness, attitude and level of compliance
with RA11313 Safe Spaces. They found that respondents had high level of awareness, very positive attitude, and
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the very high level of compliance to RA11313 Safe Spaces Act [1]. Moreover, this is in line with findings from
previous studies that suggest increased awareness among younger generations about these issues of sexual
harassment [4].
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
A. Conclusions
1. Most of the respondents were 21-25 years old, BS Industrial Security Management students, first year
college and belonged to lower class socio- economic status.
2. They were very aware of RA11313.
B. Recommendations
The institution may organize seminars and workshops that are age-appropriate, practical, and accessible,
focusing on how RA 11313 (Safe Spaces Act) applies in daily life and in the security profession.
Although students are already very aware of RA 11313, regular updates, forums, and information drives may be
maintained to reinforce awareness and translate it into consistent behavioral practice.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The researchers would like to thank the respondents of this study who inspire of the pandemic and slow internet
connection still wholeheartedly participate in this study,
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