Joint Memorandum Circular: Guidelines in Handling Violence against Women and Children and Other Gender-Based Violence Emergencies Reported Through Emergency 911 National Emergency Hotline

This Joint Memorandum Circular was approved by the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Social Welfare and Development, and Department of Justice in December 2021.

The guidelines included in this Joint memorandum Circular respond to the fact that “there is a need to adapt modalities of interventions for GBV [gender-based violence] and VAWC [violence against women and children] as women and girls experience a distinct challenge as disasters exacerbate already existing risks of Gender-Based Violence and Violence Against Women and Children as confinement and worsened socio-economic situations increase risks of violence, within the household” (Section 1).

The need for these guidelines arose amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. As the document states, “even before the global pandemic 1 in 3 women experience sexual violence mostly by an intimate partner. 2020 data show a decrease in the reported VAWC cases due to restricted movement within communities and where victims are locked down with their perpetrators, there is a lack of communication channels and lack of easily accessible services where people can report” (ibid). Moreover, “the establishment of a response referral system provides for an intervention that will ease reporting, expedite the investigation, and provide instant response and information on GBV and VAWC. It also raises the consciousness of the public in recognizing the dignity of women, ensuring support for victims, bringing perpetrators to justice, and making a long-term plan to prevent violence in all forms” (ibid).