VAWC stands for Violence Against Women and Children, part of the name of a law in the Philippines that is primarily intended to protect women and their children from the male head of household.
Formally known as Republic Act 9262, the Anti Violence against Women and Their Children Act has been on the books since 2014.
The following acts of violence are covered under R.A. 9262:
(a) Sexual Violence – the acts which are sexual in nature
(b) Psychological Violence – Acts or omissions causing or likely to cause mental or emotional suffering of the victim
(c) Economic Abuse – Acts that make or attempt to make a woman financially dependent upon her abuser
The VAWC explicitly states that a husband cutting off financial support to his wife and children is considered emotional and economic sabotage, and thus cause for filing a (VAWC) suit.
In recent news, the wife of COMELEC chair Andy Bautista has filed a VAWC case against him for cutting off financial support to her and their four sons.
