Rape cases in the Philippines, on the rise

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MANILA — One woman gets raped every 72 minutes in the Philippines, according to consolidated crime reports from the Philippine National Police (PNP).

According to the Women and Children Protection Center (WCPC) of the PNP, they were able to record a total of 5,493 rape incidents, victims were mostly women and children.

On the other hand, data from the mother unit which is the PNP Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (PNP-DIDM), 7,409 rape cases happened in 2013.

While the numbers seem staggering, take into consideration that these are only the reported incidents. The Center for Women’s Resources (CWR) said that it is possible that there are still rape incidents that are not being reported to authorities.

“Batay sa aming experience, ang isang nabibiktima, lalo na ‘pag bata, ‘di kaagad siya nagkukuwento. Lalo na ‘pag tinatakot,” said CWR Executive Director Jojo Guan in an interview with GMA News Research.

(Based on our records, victims, specially children find it hard to talk and open up specially when they are scared.)

Based from records, the recorded numbers in 2013 showed an increasing trend. PNP WCPC Chief Juanita Nebran said that there are several factors to the upsurge. First is the population growth. As the population increases, the number of crimes rise as well.

Aside from that, in the past years, the PNP has been striving to get the “true crime picture.” Meaning, even crime reports from barangay blotters and other law enforcement units are already included.

Although the increase in rape cases sound alarming, this also goes to show that more victims are becoming strong and empowered enough to complain.