PNP to update rape prevention guidelines

PNP Spokesperson Sr. Supt. Benigno Durana Jr. INQUIRER.net file photo / Gabriel Pabico Lalu

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday said it will update its rape prevention guidelines following the huge public uproar against the controversial tips posted on social media.

The PNP welcomed the recommendation of Senator Risa Hontiveros and the women’s group Gabriela to update the rape prevention guidelines posted by the Angono Municipal Police Station on Facebook.

“The PNP acknowledges the concerns raised by Senator Hontiveros on the anti-rape tips posted on social media by the Angono police station,” Senior Supt. Benigno Durana Jr. said in a statement.

“We agree with the good senator that the guidelines on rape prevention need to be updated with due consideration to gender sensitivity issues,” Durana added.

The Angono police’s anti-rape tips drew flak from netizens as it came out more like promoting “victim-blaming” and perpetuates misogynism, according to Gabriela.

The controversial tips note that women must refrain from wearing short clothes, walking alone in dark places, and drinking on dates.

Durana said educating both male and female teenagers on crimes such as rape and on dangerous date-rape drugs should be included in the updated rape prevention guidelines.

“The updated rape prevention guidelines should include early education of male and female teenagers on rape as a crime, and raising awareness on newer and more dangerous date-rape drugs such as GHB, MDMA and Ecstasy,” he said.

GHB stands for gamma-Hydroxybutyrate drug, commonly known as liquid ecstasy or simply, “G.”

MDMA, or methylenedioxymethamphetamine, is known as ecstasy. “Early education leads to prevention,” Durana said.

“While we cannot control criminal motive, we can help prevent it through gender-blind self-education. Both men and women ought to know that ‘no’ means ‘no,’ that rape is a serious crime, and that they can go to jail if they violate another person’s human rights,” he said.

Despite the flak, Durana defended the Angono police station, saying their effort was “a good initiative” and the police “[meant] well.” Syrah Vivien Inocencio, INQUIRER.net intern / jpv

RELATED STORY

Hontiveros tells Angono cops: Clothes don’t cause rape, rapists do