Republic Act 7877: The Anti-Sexual Harassment Act
of 1995
Signed by Pres Fidel V. Ramos on Feb 14, 1995
Definition: AN ACT DECLARING SEXUAL HARASSMENT UNLAWFUL IN THE
EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION OR TRAINING ENVIRONMENT, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. The State shall value the dignity of every individual,
enhance the development of its human resources, guarantee full respect for human
rights, and uphold the dignity of workers, employees, applicants for employment,
students or those undergoing training, instruction or education. Towards this end, all
forms of sexual harassment in the employment, education or training environment are
hereby declared unlawful.
What is Sexual Harassment?
Under RA 7877, work, education, or training related sexual harassment
is “committed by an employer, employee, manager, supervisor, agent
of the employer, teacher, instructor, professor, coach, Trainor, or any
person who, having authority, influence or moral ascendancy
power over another in a work or training or education environment,
demands, requests or otherwise requires any sexual favor from the
other, regardless of whether the demand, request or requirement for
submission is accepted or not by the object of said act.
●Sinosino ang pwede makausohan
sexual harassment is not only against men. This can also be against women if the woman
participated to commit sexual harassment.
How is work-related sexual harassment committed?
Work-related Sexual Harassment is committed when:
1. The sexual favor is made as a condition in the hiring or in the
employment, re-employment or continued employment of said
individual, or in granting said individual favorable compensation,
terms, conditions, promotions, or privileges; or refusal to grant the
sexual favor results in limiting, segregating or classifying the employee
which in any way would discriminate, deprive or diminish employment
opportunities or otherwise adversely affect said employee
2. The above acts would impair the employee’s rights or privileges under
existing labor laws; or
3. The above acts would result in an intimidating, hostile or offensive
environment for the employee.
4. Sexual harassment in the workplace is not about a man taking advantage
of a woman by reason of sexual desire—it is about power being exercised
by a superior officer over his women subordinates. The essence of sexual
harassment is not the violation of the victim’s sexuality but rather the
abuse of power and authority by the offender manifested through sexually
charged conduct or one filled with sexual undertones.
How is education or training-related sexual harassment
committed?
Education or Training-related Sexual Harassment is committed:
1. Against one who is under the care, custody or supervision of the
offender;
2. Against one whose education, training, apprenticeship, or tutorship is
entrusted to the offender;
3. When the sexual favor is made a condition to the giving of a passing
grade, or granting of honors and scholarships, or the payment of a
stipend, allowance or other benefits, privileges, or considerations; or
4. When the sexual advances result in an intimidating, hostile or offensive
environment for the student, trainee or apprentice.
What are the penalties for offenders?
1. Any person who violates the provisions of the law shall be
penalized by imprisonment of not less than one (1) month nor more
than six (6) months, or a fine of not less than Ten Thousand Pesos
(P10,000) nor more than Twenty Thousand Pesos (P20,000), or both
such fine and imprisonment at the discretion of the court.
[Link] act arising from the violation of the provisions of this Act shall
prescribe in three (3) years.
