Benguet judge urges: Strengthen anti-abuse protections

BAGUIO CITY — A regional family court magistrate urged local officials and anti-abuse advocates Thursday to strengthen municipal policies and target the systemic causes of domestic violence in local communities.

Speaking during a capacity development workshop in Baguio City, La Trinidad Family Court Judge Melita Amylesha Delson-Macaraeg called on members of the Itogon Local Committee Against Trafficking and Violence Against Women and Their Children to craft interventions addressing power imbalances and economic vulnerability.

“Economic dependence often prevents survivors from leaving abusive relationships,” Delson-Macaraeg said, noting that women facing physical disadvantages or financial reliance on their partners remain disproportionately exposed to domestic mistreatment.

The judge outlined enforcement guidelines under Republic Act 9262, or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004, stressing its provisions against physical, economic, and psychological abuse.

Delson-Macaraeg instructed committee members to maintain strict evidentiary standards during intake procedures, cautioning against the potential misuse of the statute, which she warned can undermine legal protections for genuine victims and strain judicial resources.

Local policymakers must translate community-level data into enforceable municipal ordinances and direct social support networks to ensure survivors can safely seek legal and financial assistance, the magistrate added.