The USI-Central Student Government (USI-CSG), together with the Student Affairs Office’s (SAO) Practicum Students, instituted an online webinar entitled, “Safe Zone: A Webinar on Safe Spaces Act and Anti-Sexual Harassment Act” with the theme, “Securing Safe Environment; Respecting Worth and Dignity” last November 12, from 1 to 5 PM, via Zoom Cloud Meetings and Facebook Live.

 

          Atty. Marion Eloisa Legacion, the CEO of Legacion Law Office; a member of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines-Camarines Sur Chapter; and a graduate from University of Nueva Caceres-School of Law, was invited as the guest speaker of the said webinar.

 

        In pursuance of the memorandum “CHED CMO 25 s. 2003” released by the Commission of Higher Education (CHED), which demands academic institutions to implement policies in lieu of the avoidance of sex-related assaults, the talk intends to raise awareness on the significance of safe space and the existing laws related to sexual harassment, such as the “Safe Spaces Act” or RA 11313 and the “Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995”, also known as RA 7877.

 

        “Ang usapin ay hindi about sexuality. It’s about abuse... We can’t bring change in our society if we are not aware of our rights,” Atty. Legacion stated during the webinar. 

 

       “Dapat malakas ang loob mo... You have to do something about it. Tell your harasser: your right has stopped when my right begins. You should let your harasser know that the world is on your side,” she added.

 

     “The world is never fair. There are always people who are privileged [and] those who are underprivileged. It’s you who can make the system work fairly,” Atty. Legacion emphasized.

 

        The first-year and second-year college students were required to attend the talk via Zoom, while the third-year and fourth-year students, the USI-Faculty and staff, and the non-teaching employees were also highly-encouraged to watch via Facebook Live.

 

        "This talk, in a way, china-challenge tayo to fight when such instances happen or mag-side sa mga naka-experience to make them feel that they're not really alone," Rianne, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) student, said when asked about one’s realizations from the webinar. 

 

         "Also, china-challenge rin tayo to raise awareness about this Republic Act, kasi it will be useless kapag maraming nakaka-experience ng sexual harassment tapos hindi nila nakukuha yung justice na deserve nila," the student explained further.

 

         Aside from the talk itself, academic competitions were held in relevance to the event’s topic. The events were the Digital Art Making Contest and the Digital Quiz Bee, wherein several HED students enthusiastically participated and won.