RAPE

May 12, 2005

Psychologist Dr. Sylvia Estrada-Claudio gave a very important sharing at the UP College of Law Malcolm Hall forum on GENDER BIAS IN THE COURTS.

I was disturbed by what she said on the mindset in the courts on the appreciation of evidence presented in rape.

In the court, the regional trial court judge expects the rape victim to show resistance, and struggle against the rapist to show that she means NO. hOW MANY TIMES DOES A WOMAN HAVE TO SAY NO. The judge asks ‘ Why did the complainant not struggle, why did she not fight ? Dr Claudio says the reason she did not struggle is because she knows the perpetrator, and she wants to survive. A woman is not expected to give up her life to preserve her honor. Survival is important . The choices the rape victim
makes should not be taken against her.
It appears that most women do not go to the court system.
Rape is traumatic, and the woman may suffer post traumatic stress disorder.
Atty Rowena Guanzon, says in presenting the witness state the purpose that you will show proof of the fact that there is the post traumatic stress disorder suffered by the complainant.
I shall write about the study made by Atty Rowena Guanzon on Gender Inequality and Discrimination in Philippine Jurisprudence and Judicial Practice and the study made by Atty Myrna Feliciano entitled Policy Action Research to Enhance the Gender Responsiveness of the Family Courts as soon as I am able to read them.
attysison2020@yahoo.com

IF HE ONLY KNEW WHAT A WOMAN CAN NOT RESIST

This is a book written by Gary Smalley which I purchased at Totus Bookstore
located before in Kamuning and now in the 2nd floor Red Ribbon Bldg Connecticut
corner Missouri st, Greenhills (across Santuario San Jose).
I talked to Sylvia of Totus, and she said Mr Henry is planning to have it reprinted.
Until then, I can share with you some pointers of the book.

This book is primarily for men so that their marriage or relationship will remain strong
or become better. Women can read Fascinating Womanhood.

The book has a checklist of what men find important, or complain about, and what they perceive is important for women.

Women love a man who listens, who is supportive, who forgives, is thoughtful, does not assume anything, who helps in the upbringing of the children, shares in the household chores, is clean. Unfortunately when a woman withholds affection, the man retaliates and vice-versa. A man must be communicative, and find out what his partner wants.
Ladies please communicate also as we are not mind readers . You know what happens when there is no communication there is explosion and hurt feelings.

Never take a woman for granted. Expres your positive feelings. A woman feels like a prostitute when she is pressured to have sex when she does not feel love nor wanted.
Being married to her does not allow you to pressure her.

hilman1108@yahoo.com

ENVIRONMENT

A recent survey shows that majority of Metro Manila residents are affected by pollution.
Metro Manila is running out of oxygen. It is said by cable channel ANC, WE HAVE LESS THAN THREE YEARS LEFT TO BREATH IN METRO MANILA. Are we going to wait for that Korean made oxygen canister to be our daily companion. Look at how manny of our children have asthma or lung related diseases.
Just this morning, I saw MMDA with the light blue shirts burning grass along Marcos highway beside the UP campus, creating air pollution, yet they are supposed to enforce the clean air act.

In Marikina, never burn garbage, or you face paying a huge fine. DISCIPLINE AT WORK.

Republic Act 9003, the Philippine Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, obligates local government units to instill the CULTURE OF WASTE SEGREGATION, MINIMIZATION AND RECYCLING AT THE GRASS ROOT LEVEL.
This grassroot level refers to the barangays. Thus, since city and municipal mayors have direct supervision over the compnent barangays, it is their DUTY to ensure such segregation and collection of solid waste in their component barangays.

This the rationale behind the law suit file by the officers and members of the Philippine Bar Association against the Mayors of San Juan, Malabon and Paranaque, because the mayors therein supposedly have not complied with the law. The cases are pending before the ombudsman (office of the environmental ombudsman).
How many mayors out there are seemingly delinquent. Our laws are only as good as they are complied.
We must act now because tomorrow, we need gas masks to work.
attysison2020@yahoo.com