In Short
- The Safe Spaces Act (RA 11313) punishes sexual harassment in streets and public places, online, at work and in schools, by anyone, regardless of motive.
- The Anti-Sexual Harassment Act (RA 7877) punishes a person with authority, influence or moral ascendancy, such as a boss or teacher, who asks for a sexual favor.
- Report street harassment to the police or the barangay, online harassment to the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group, and work or school harassment to the Committee on Decorum and Investigation (CODI).
- Recording or sharing someone's intimate photos or videos without consent is a separate crime under RA 9995.
Streets and Public Places
Under Republic Act No. 11313 (RA 11313), the Safe Spaces Act, gender-based streets and public spaces sexual harassment means unwanted and uninvited sexual actions or remarks against any person, whatever the motive. It covers streets, alleys, sidewalks and parks, and also malls, bars, markets, schools, terminals and public utility vehicles. Penalties under Section 11 rise with each offense:
| Acts | 1st Offense | 2nd Offense | 3rd Offense |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cursing, catcalling, wolf-whistling, sexist or homophobic slurs, persistent unwanted comments on appearance, unwanted invitations, persistent telling of sexual jokes | ₱1,000 fine and 12 hours of community service with a Gender Sensitivity Seminar | Arresto menor (6 to 10 days) or ₱3,000 fine | Arresto menor (11 to 30 days) and ₱10,000 fine |
| Offensive body gestures, flashing, public masturbation, groping and similar lewd acts | ₱10,000 fine and 12 hours of community service with a Gender Sensitivity Seminar | Arresto menor (11 to 30 days) or ₱15,000 fine | Arresto mayor (1 month and 1 day to 6 months) and ₱20,000 fine |
| Stalking, or the acts above together with touching, pinching or brushing against the body, or any touching of intimate parts | Arresto menor (11 to 30 days) or ₱30,000 fine, with a Gender Sensitivity Seminar | Arresto mayor (1 month and 1 day to 6 months) or ₱50,000 fine | Arresto mayor in its maximum period or ₱100,000 fine |
The penalty is one degree higher in some cases, for example when the driver of a public utility vehicle harasses a passenger, or the victim is a minor, a senior citizen, a person with disability or a breastfeeding mother (Section 15). Restaurants, bars, malls and similar places must have a zero-tolerance policy, post warning signs and the anti-sexual harassment hotline, and name an anti-sexual harassment officer.
Online Sexual Harassment
Online sexual harassment (Section 12) includes threats, unwanted sexual or misogynistic remarks and comments, invasion of privacy through cyberstalking, uploading or sharing someone's photos, videos or information without consent, impersonating someone, and filing false abuse reports to silence a victim, whether done through social media, messaging apps, email or other online tools.
The penalty under Section 14 is prision correccional in its medium period, or a fine of ₱100,000 to ₱500,000, or both. The law says these online offenses do not prescribe (there is no deadline to file).
Report to the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group. Keep screenshots showing the account name, the link (URL), the date and the time. If someone is misusing your personal data, see also data privacy complaints.
At Work and in School
Two laws apply.
- RA 11313 (Safe Spaces Act) covers unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and sex-based conduct at work or in school that hurt a person's dignity or create an intimidating, hostile or humiliating environment. It covers harassment by anyone: peers, subordinates toward a superior, students and teachers, trainees and trainers.
- RA 7877 (Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995) covers an employer, manager, supervisor, teacher, professor, coach, trainor or anyone with authority, influence or moral ascendancy who demands, requests or requires a sexual favor, whether or not the victim agrees. Examples are making a sexual favor a condition for hiring, promotion, pay, a passing grade or a scholarship. The penalty is 1 to 6 months in jail, or a fine of ₱10,000 to ₱20,000, or both. A case must be filed within 3 years.
Duties of employers and schools. Employers and school heads must post the law, have a policy with procedures and penalties, and create a Committee on Decorum and Investigation (CODI). Under RA 11313, the committee is headed by a woman, at least half of its members are women, and it must act on a complaint within 10 days. An employer or school head who fails to set these up can be fined ₱5,000 to ₱10,000, and one who does not act on a report ₱10,000 to ₱15,000. Under RA 7877, an employer who is told of the harassment and does not act immediately is jointly liable for damages.
The CODI handles administrative penalties (such as suspension or dismissal at work, or expulsion in school). This does not stop you from also filing a criminal complaint or a civil case for damages.
Photos and Videos: RA 9995
The Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act of 2009 (RA 9995) punishes taking photos or videos of a person's sexual act or private parts without consent, in a situation where they expect privacy. It also punishes copying, selling, sharing or posting such photos or videos, even if the person agreed to be recorded but did not agree to sharing. The penalty is 3 to 7 years in jail and a fine of ₱100,000 to ₱500,000, or both, as the court decides.
Where to Report
- Streets and public places: the police, especially the Women and Children Protection Desk (WCPD), or the anti-sexual harassment desk at the barangay hall. Safe Spaces Act enforcers and police can arrest an offender caught in the act.
- Online: the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group.
- Work: your employer's CODI or HR. If the employer does nothing, you can raise it with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE); see labor complaints. Government workers can also go to the Civil Service Commission.
- School: the school's CODI or designated officer. If the school does nothing, the Department of Education (DepEd) for basic education, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) for colleges, or TESDA for training centers.
- Criminal case: a sworn complaint with the police or the Office of the City or Provincial Prosecutor. See filing a criminal complaint.
If you are in danger, call 911. The Public Attorney's Office (PAO) and IBP legal aid offices can help if you qualify.
Evidence to Keep
Your ticks stay on this device only.
Common Questions
Is Catcalling a Crime in the Philippines?
Yes. Under the Safe Spaces Act, catcalling and wolf-whistling in public are punished. A first offense carries a ₱1,000 fine and 12 hours of community service with a Gender Sensitivity Seminar; repeat offenses are punished more heavily.
What If the Harasser Is a Co-Worker, Not My Boss?
RA 11313 covers harassment by co-workers and even by a subordinate. Report it to your employer's Committee on Decorum and Investigation. RA 7877 applies when the harasser has authority, influence or moral ascendancy over you.
Someone Shared My Private Photos Online. What Can I Do?
Sharing intimate photos or videos without consent is punished under RA 9995 even if you agreed to the recording, and can also be online sexual harassment under RA 11313. Save evidence and report to the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group.
How Long Do I Have to File a Sexual Harassment Case?
Under RA 11313, verbal street harassment prescribes in 1 year, lewd acts in 3 years, stalking and touching in 10 years, and workplace and school harassment in 5 years; online harassment does not prescribe. Under RA 7877, the deadline is 3 years.
Not legal advice. This is general information. For advice on your own situation, consult a lawyer. If you cannot afford one, the Public Attorney's Office (PAO) or an IBP legal aid office may help for free.
Government fees, rules and requirements change, so always check with the office concerned before you go. Last reviewed October 15, 2026.