Awareness on any gender equality or GBV-related policies in the City of San Fernando, La Union NAPC – the City has not yet crafted their own GAD Code, they just adopted the GAD Code that was developed by the province of La Union. Are the barangay VAW desks functional? NAPC – No. The NAPC validated the presence of VAW desks in barangays but found out that in the City of San Fernando, a significant number of barangays do not have a functional VAW desk including the officers. Respondent A – Based from personal experience while conducting orientation seminars regarding Magna Carta of Women, rural women in Region 1 are not yet aware of their rights, hence the VAW desks are not yet functional. Feedback from these women reveal that even the desk officers are also not aware of the rights of women. Respondent B – in our own barangay, there is no functional VAW desk. It was also observed that in government and private offices, there is still no GAD Code in place. In DMMMSU, there is a plan to eventually establish the GAD Code following the benchmarking of the University of the Philippines’ GAD Code. What are the common forms of gender-based violence that you have observed? Respondent B – most common cases involve violations of RA 9262. It should be noted that we might not be capturing data on unreported rape/violence against women and children cases. In the experience of DMMMSU, we have not yet encountered any student or faculty who reported such incidents. Being the chairperson of the Committee on Decorum and Investigation, we settle the sexual harassment-related cases in the University in-house and no referral is being made to other agencies. On a more personal level, one of my friends who has a long time partner has continued to suffer from physical and emotional abuse yet choose to live with him. With the continued, sustained domestic abuse, this woman has developed a learned helplessness which causes her to continue to stay in the abusive relationship. Atty. William suggested that should there be future cases of like manner, the CODI may refer the case to the PNP for criminal action/initiation of criminal complaint. LUVWI – most of the cases being referred to us involve infidelity, where legal consultations also include the presence of PAO lawyers. Respondent C – the cases that are being referred to us involve physical violence against women. It was observed that most of the cases end up being settled amicably after sometime because the perpetrator and complainant continue to live together after the incident. Respondent C also lamented that most VAWC cases do not get conviction because most women choose to withdraw the cases especially if the women are financially dependent on the perpetrator 12 | Page