Rhelyn Harder
- She had urged victims to stand up against sexual harassment and report their cases
- She has learned that organizations have no place to handle sexual harassment cases between members
- As she says that “ALL VICTIMS NEED IS SUPPORT” and don’t be insensitive
A proverb says “Respect begets respect.”
To have a harmonious relationship with others, we should know how to respect by knowing our limitations and self-control in our actions towards others. Just like a female student in UP Diliman who have been sexually harassed by one of the male members in their organization who bravely confronted her harasser.
On her Twitter account, @beavelascojr showed the video how she confronted the guy who harassed her on their socio major event booth, knowing that they already had an agreement to avoid each other.
It all started on a benefit gig on May 2017 at Mow’s when a drunken guy named Richard Christopher Kahulugan unexpectedly touched her. She really knew that she had been sexually harassed that night but the guy told his friends that he only held her and was not harassing her.
But for her, touching her up and holding her were not just the same.
FYI: alam kong sinabi mo sa kaibigan mo na hinawakan mo lang ako. HINDI AKO TANGA. ALAM KO ANG PAGKAKAIBA NG TINAPIK SA HINIPUAN. I wouldn't have felt so violated kung "friendly" lang yung ginawa mo sa akin.
— bea (@beavelascoo) December 7, 2018
Richard was asking for an apology and to prove his sincerity, he even revealed his other secret on how she cheated her girlfriend and insisted that he is trying his best to change.
Instead of an apology, he made her more irritated as a woman as he has fooled other women and she was not convinced that he has changed.
In today's episode of MEN ARE TRASH…
HOW TO MAKE A NON-APOLOGY 101:
"KAYA NGA IM DOING MY BEST DIBA"
"You've done a very good job in shaming myself"
"I CHEATED ON MY GIRLFRIEND"
"I'VE HAD 4 WOMEN COME INTO MY UNIT IN 4 MONTHS"
tbh i dont think uve changed AT ALL pic.twitter.com/1h45LvfMPg
— bea (@beavelascoo) December 7, 2018
There was a time she felt that she was not doing the right thing but then, with the testimony of another woman, it pushed her to fight against Richard for sexual harassment to protect women’s rights. And whatever he says, she would not believe that he has changed.
UMIIYAK NA AKO DITO KASI FEELING KO MALI GINAGAWA KO AND THEN I SEE THIS ??????? KAHIT MAY ISANG BABAE LANG AKONG MAPROTEKTAHAN SA KAMANYAKAN MO GAGAWIN KO TALAGA LAHAT pic.twitter.com/DXkUn74C51
— bea (@beavelascoo) December 8, 2018
Recently, they both bumped into each other at a socio event where he acted as if nothing had happened. That was what triggered her to confront him. After all, she exerted efforts to avoid him as what have been agreed and for Richard not doing his part of the deal. She would not sacrifice not attending an important event because of him.
Following due process, it would take a lot of time to process the case. To have stricter rules to protect the victims of sexual harassment, she had urged victims to stand up against sexual harassment and report their cases so lawmakers will take this into consideration and change some existing provisions in the Anti-Sexual Harassment (ASH) Code.
As they want change, the have referred the case to the university to see how they would handle it so it would be easy for others to seek justice for themselves.
GIRLS, I CONFRONTED MY HARASSER THE OTHER DAY.
OASH already asked this little shit to avoid bumping into me as it might be triggering for me but he really had the audacity to be at the reg booth of an event us socio majors were going to. Idk why he lacks the common sense to not- pic.twitter.com/z1GrnqzgbP
— bea (@beavelascoo) March 8, 2019
attend or volunteer in these events. He acts as if he has done nothing wrong.
I am already making the effort to not pass by the department whenever he has class so would i miss an imp. socio event for his ugly ass?? UM NO.
— bea (@beavelascoo) March 8, 2019
I don't care if you think this was inappropriate or too much. I have kept my end of the agreement and if he can't do what he is asked then I WILL call him out and tell him to stay on his FUCKING LANE.
Pagod na akong magadjust. BWISIT.
— bea (@beavelascoo) March 8, 2019
After going to the Office of Anti-Sexual Harassment, she has learned that she doesn’t have to feel sorry for what she had done. In addition to that, she has learned that organizations have no place in handling sexual harassment cases between members and they have no right to keep her from filing a formal case. And according to the Anti-Sexual Harassment Code, organizations are considered liable for hindering victims from obtaining justice.
If u're wondering why sexual harassers and misogynist frat men continue to roam our university, the truth is that UP needs stricter rules to protect victims of SH.
I urge victims to stand up against SH & report these cases bc that is the only way we can help change existing-
— bea (@beavelascoo) March 9, 2019
provisions in the Anti-Sexual Harassment (ASH) Code. Unfortunately, due process takes time and at times it can also get frustrating…but we have to see it through if we want changes in how these cases are handled in our uni. by doing so we can also help those who are yet to-
— bea (@beavelascoo) March 9, 2019
this is what he and some enablers i used to call my friends did. i was not well-informed abt SH when i posted this but after going to OASH I learned that I really shouldn't be apologetic of what I did. I also learned that ORGANIZATIONS have no place in-https://t.co/JU2RDq9xl4
— bea (@beavelascoo) March 9, 2019
With her experience, she adviced that if ever your friend has been sexually harassed, help them by reporting it immediately. And she says that “ALL VICTIMS NEED IS SUPPORT” and don’t be afraid by calling out the harasser. It was very emotionally draining and challenging, as some of their friends doubted her. And the pain of a victim is indescribable, so she said “WHEN WE DO CHOOSE TO SPEAK, LISTEN TO US AND HELP US.”
This is a call to out all UP organizations. They should learn their responsibilities and limitations when a member has been harassed as she says “Let us all PLEASE make our communities safer.”
