THE Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has welcomed proposed amendments to the Safe Spaces Act, expanding protections against gender-based sexual harassment across a broader range of public and digital spaces.

“The proposed amendments to the Safe Spaces Act are a crucial step toward ensuring that all spaces, whether physical or digital, urban or rural, remain safe and inclusive for everyone,” it said in a statement on Tuesday.

Enacted in 2019, the Safe Spaces Act aims to combat sexual harassment in streets, workplaces, schools, and recreational areas.

The Senate Bill No. 2897 significantly broadens its coverage by explicitly including rural settings such as farms, fields, coastal areas, and multi-purpose halls.

It also introduces legal definitions for new forms of harassment, notably the concept of grooming — defined as a predatory pattern of behavior aimed at establishing trust with minors for the purpose of sexual abuse or exploitation.

As the country’s Gender and Child Ombud, the CHR emphasized the importance of the bill in holding perpetrators accountable, particularly for offenses against women, children, and LGBTQIA+ individuals.

In recognition of evolving threats, the bill acknowledges the role of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies in facilitating gender-based online sexual harassment.

Additionally, it grants victims the right to seek protection orders to prevent further violations, offering a broader range of legal remedies than the original law. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

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