When Protectors Become Perpetrators: Addressing Security Guard Violations of VAWC in PH

Security guards are often perceived as protectors of life and property. Tasked with maintaining order, they are expected to safeguard the communities they serve—including women and children. But what happens when those entrusted with safety are the ones committing abuse? In the Philippines, cases of security guards violating the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act (RA 9262) raise urgent questions about accountability, oversight, and the misuse of power in security roles.

A Hidden Threat Within Our Gates

Security guards are employed in residential areas, schools, offices, hospitals, malls, and even government institutions. Their authority is often seen as an extension of law enforcement. But this perceived power, when unchecked, can be exploited—particularly against women and children in vulnerable situations.

Reports have surfaced of guards engaging in inappropriate relationships with minors, abusing intimate partners, harassing female tenants, or using threats and intimidation to exert control. In some cases, the abusers are romantic partners or spouses of their victims. In others, they use their uniform and access to coerce or silence.

Take, for example, a case in a Manila condominium where a female tenant reported her building guard for consistently making unwanted advances and threatening to withhold assistance during emergencies if she refused his demands. In another instance, a security guard stationed at a school was accused of grooming a minor student, taking advantage of their familiarity and trust.

These are not isolated incidents—they represent a deeper issue within the security sector and the lack of sufficient gender sensitivity training, background checks, and institutional accountability.

Understanding VAWC and the Law

Republic Act No. 9262 defines violence against women and their children (VAWC) as any act or series of acts committed by a person—whether legally married to the woman or having a sexual or dating relationship with her—that results in physical, sexual, psychological, or economic harm. The law extends protection to children, including those in the custody of the woman.

Security guards, whether in a personal relationship with the victim or abusing their professional power, can be prosecuted under this law. Yet many incidents go unreported due to fear, economic dependency, or the perception that reporting the incident will lead to retaliation, job loss, or embarrassment.

Breaking the Cycle of Abuse

Violence thrives in silence and impunity. The presence of a uniform should not be a shield for perpetrators, nor a barrier for victims seeking justice. When security guards—symbols of safety—abuse their power, the psychological toll on victims can be even deeper.

Addressing this issue is not only about punishing wrongdoers. It is about restoring public trust, ensuring dignity and safety, and reaffirming that no position of authority excuses harm or harassment.

Let’s ensure that those meant to protect do not become the ones we fear. It’s time to reclaim our spaces, our rights, and our safety.

#NoToVAWC #SafeCommunitiesNow #ReformSecurityPH