Supreme Court adopts ‘victim-survivor’ term in sexual violence cases
Warning: This article has mentions of sexual assault.
The Supreme Court has adopted the term “victim-survivor” when referring to individuals who have endured sexual violence.
The Court cemented the terminology in a decision penned by Associate Justice Japar Dimaampao of the Supreme Court Third Division, which affirmed the conviction of a man for raping a minor.
The accused was convicted of rape through force or intimidation. According to the decision, the victim-survivor was staying at the house of her uncle in Ifugao in August 2018 together with her mother, the accused, and her siblings.
While the children were asleep, the accused dragged the minor outside the house and raped her.
After the assault, he allegedly held her at knifepoint and threatened to kill her if she told anyone about what happened. The victim-survivor later disclosed the incident to her uncle and his wife.
At the outset of its ruling, the Supreme Court also adopted new terminology in cases involving sexual violence.
“In lieu of the conventional victim when referring to individuals who have endured sexual violence, the term victim-survivor shall be adopted,” they said.
"This deliberate choice of words recognizes the harm and suffering inflicted while affirming the agency, resiliency, and continuing dignity of those who survive such violence," they added.
The accused has now been sentenced to reclusion perpetua or up to 40 years of imprisonment. He was also ordered to pay the victim-survivor P450,000 in civil indemnity and damages.