WOMEN’S DESK: ITS ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES IN RESPONDING TO CASES AND VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AS PERCEIVED BY POLICEWOMEN IN SELECTED MUNICIPALITIES IN QUEZON PROVINCE

ABSTRACT This study tries to find out the roles and responsibilities of Women’s desk in responding to cases and victims of domestic violence as perceived by policewomen of selected municipalities in Quezon Province. Specifically, the study seeks to answer the following questions: the demographic profile of the respondents according to the following: civil status, year of experience, rank; what is the importance of the establishment of the women’s desk in responding to cases and victims of domestic violence; what are the usual roles and responsibilities of women’s desk in responding to cases and victims of domestic violence; what are the common problems addressed by the women’s desk; what are the techniques and programs to be implemented for more efficiency and effectiveness. Furthermore this research presents the methodology employed in the study. This includes the research design, research locale, respondents, sampling procedure, research instruments, data gathering procedure and the statistical treatment. This study will have 50 respondents police woman impost in Candelaria, Guinayangan, Gumaca, Lopez, Lucban, Mauban, Sampaloc, Sariaya, Tayabas, Tiaong and Unisan Municipal Police Station. The researchers select the respondents as source of information of data needed to conduct in this study, because they have the knowledge and they are experts in assisting victims of domestic violence that will give them valid and reliable data that the researchers will use in this study. Results revealed that women’s desk creation builds a positive image for the PNP in handling cases and victims of domestic violence as a very important in the establishment of women’s desk, because it only shows that policewomen fulfill their duties in handling women and children. Also that women’s desk is the women’s first line of defense against their offenders in terms of private situations. That among the roles of women’s desk in responding to cases of domestic violence, helping the victims to cooperate is the most important among their responsibilities. The cooperation of the victim is the key in battling the abuse. Their cooperation will gain more evidence that can be used in trial. It is also concluded that giving advice to the victims of domestic violence is one of the essential role of women’s desk. Meanwhile the least important role as viewed by the respondents are dealing with the emotional and psychological needs of the victims and helping them to cope with the experience they suffered and guide them to overcome it. The common problems addressed by the Women’s Desk in responding to cases and victims of domestic violence are victim’s lack of cooperation in processing the case, victims can’t immediately be referred for medical examination to prevent the loss of evidence. The victims endure to remain with her partner because she lacks economic security and has psychological dependency. That the appropriate techniques can be applied by the policewomen in responding to cases and victims of Domestic violence. That the women’s desk officer must be sincere, sympathetic, understanding and supportive to the victim. That the policewomen should listens carefully and attentively in order to understand their situation.