I'm facing gender-based sexual harassment at school — what protects me?
Last updated: 2026-07-12 · Educational content; not legal advice.
Short answer
The Safe Spaces Act (RA 11313, 2019) covers gender-based sexual harassment in educational and training institutions (Article IV, Sections 21–24). Schools have concrete duties: designate an officer to receive complaints, adopt and disseminate a policy against gender-based sexual harassment, run information campaigns, and maintain a Committee on Decorum and Investigation (CODI) to investigate and act on complaints. School heads can be held liable for failing to act on a report. File your complaint with the school's designated officer or CODI in writing, keep evidence and copies, and if the school fails to act, escalate to CHED (higher ed) or DepEd (basic ed).
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Frequently asked
What must my school do about harassment?
Under RA 11313 Sections 21–24, a school must designate an officer to receive complaints, adopt and publicize a policy against gender-based sexual harassment, run prevention campaigns, and maintain a Committee on Decorum and Investigation (CODI) to investigate and decide complaints.
Who do I file my complaint with?
File in writing with the school's designated officer or the CODI. Keep your evidence (messages, screenshots, witnesses) and dated copies of your complaint and the school's responses.
The school did nothing — is that allowed?
No. School heads can be held liable under RA 11313 for failing to act on a reported case of gender-based sexual harassment. Escalate to CHED (colleges) or DepEd (basic education) with your written complaint attached.
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Your rights as a student or parent — whether a school can withhold your transcript (TOR), diploma, or Form 137 over an unpaid balance and how to get your records for transfer, the prior consultation and 70%-to-personnel conditions on any tuition increase (RA 6728), tuition refunds when you withdraw early, who qualifies for free college and the Tertiary Education Subsidy under the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act (RA 10931), your right to due process before a school can suspend or expel you (Guzman v. National University), a school's duty to act on bullying (RA 10627, Anti-Bullying Act) and on gender-based sexual harassment (Safe Spaces Act, RA 11313), the prohibition on hazing (RA 8049 as amended by RA 11053), hidden or excessive miscellaneous fees, a revoked scholarship, a school that closes mid-year, and how to file a complaint with CHED (higher ed), DepEd (basic ed), or TESDA (tech-voc).