Beyond The Badge: The Roles of Philippine National Police Women’s Desk Officers to Violence Against Women

Abstract

This study explored the roles of Philippine National Police (PNP) Women’s Desk Officers to cases of violence against women (VAW), with emphasis on their initial interventions and the challenges encountered in the performance of their duties. Employing a qualitative research design, data were collected through interviews and observations with three Women’s Desk Officers assigned in selected areas of Cavite. To ensure confidentiality, pseudonyms were used to protect participants’ identities and the privacy of the cases handled. Findings revealed that the officers’ initial responses commonly involved documenting complaints through police blotters, obtaining sworn statements, and providing immediate assistance to victims. The officers displayed empathy and professionalism by maintaining confidentiality and responding to victims with sensitivity and respect, though occasional lapses in privacy were observed. Each officer adopted distinct approaches in building rapport and eliciting information from victims, with collaboration from other institutions such as barangay officers and the Department of Social Welfare Development (DSWD) during rescue and referral procedures. Despite their dedication, the officers faced persistent constraints such as lack of facilities, limited personnel, inadequate financial resources, and inefficiencies in the referral system. The findings underscore the pivotal role of Women’s Desk Officers as frontliners in protecting women’s rights and ensuring justice, while highlighting the need for strengthened institutional support to enhance their effectiveness.