These agencies are tasked to formulate programs and projects to eliminate VAW based on their
mandates as well as develop capability programs for their employees to become more sensitive to the
needs of their clients. The Council will also serve as the monitoring body as regards to VAW initiatives.
The Council members may designate their duly authorized representative who shall have a rank not
lower than an assistant secretary or its equivalent. These representatives shall attend Council meetings
in their behalf, and shall receive emoluments as may be determined by the Council in accordance with
existing budget and accounting rules and regulations.
SECTION 40. Mandatory Programs and Services for Victims. – The DSWD, and LGU's shall provide
the victims temporary shelters, provide counseling, psycho-social services and /or, recovery,
rehabilitation programs and livelihood assistance.
The DOH shall provide medical assistance to victims.
SECTION 41. Counseling and Treatment of Offenders. – The DSWD shall provide rehabilitative
counseling and treatment to perpetrators towards learning constructive ways of coping with anger and
emotional outbursts and reforming their ways. When necessary, the offender shall be ordered by the
Court to submit to psychiatric treatment or confinement.
SECTION 42. Training of Persons Involved in Responding to Violence Against Women and their
Children Cases. – All agencies involved in responding to violence against women and their children
cases shall be required to undergo education and training to acquaint them with:
a. the nature, extend and causes of violence against women and their children;
b. the legal rights of, and remedies available to, victims of violence against women and
their children;
c. the services and facilities available to victims or survivors;
d. the legal duties imposed on police officers to make arrest and to offer protection and
assistance; and
e. techniques for handling incidents of violence against women and their children that
minimize the likelihood of injury to the officer and promote the safety of the victim or
survivor.
The PNP, in coordination with LGU's shall establish an education and training program for police
officers and barangay officials to enable them to properly handle cases of violence against women and
their children.
SECTION 43. Entitled to Leave. – Victims under this Act shall be entitled to take a paid leave of
absence up to ten (10) days in addition to other paid leaves under the Labor Code and Civil Service
Rules and Regulations, extendible when the necessity arises as specified in the protection order.
Any employer who shall prejudice the right of the person under this section shall be penalized in
accordance with the provisions of the Labor Code and Civil Service Rules and Regulations. Likewise,
an employer who shall prejudice any person for assisting a co-employee who is a victim under this Act
shall likewise be liable for discrimination.