Senate bill seeks penalties vs. misogynistic attacks online

Senator Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday filed a bill that would impose imprisonment over misogynistic and homophobic attacks on social media, among other offenses related to gender-based electronic violence (GBEV).

In a press conference, Hontiveros said there were “gaps” in the law in exacting legal — and even moral — accountability from offenders online.

Senate Bill 1251 defines GBEV as “acts involving use of any form of information and communications technology which causes or is likely to cause mental, emotional or psychological distress or suffering to the female victim or lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) victim, and tending to disparage the dignity and personhood of the same on account of his or her gender.”

Hontiveros noted that victims of misogynistic and homophobic attacks in social media are usually the youth.

“The attacks have the effect of silencing this expression, and contributing to a culture of misogyny and hate,” she said.

The proposed GBEV Act seeks to impose an imprisonment of not less than five years but not more than 10 years and a fine of not less than P100,000 but not more than P500,000 or both, at the discretion of the court.

The proposal was one of the so-called “Tres Marias” bills, which aims to fight sexual harassment and violence against women.

Anne Nicole de Castro, who recently experienced online shaming after protesting the hero’s burial for the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr., said there’s a need to “speak up more.”

Being at the receiving end of negative comments online made her feel “alone” at first, De Castro said, as she first tried to avoid reading them.

“When verbal harassment were posted online, it was hard, I couldn’t really focus. In the end, I became okay because of the love and support from everyone around me,” she said.

“It takes a lot of strength and emotional maturity to overcome this obstacle and I’m glad I have that kind of maturity,” De Castro added. —ALG, GMA News