Section 3Sec./Art. 3

Rape Crisis Center. - The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Department of Health (DOH), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Department of Justice (DOJ), and a lead non-government organization (NGO) with proven track record or experience in handling sexual abuse cases, shall establish in every province and city a rape crisis center located in a government hospital or health clinic or in any other suitable place for the purpose of:

(a) Providing rape victims with psychological counselling, medical and health services, including their medico-legal examination;

(b) Securing free legal assistance or service, when necessary, for rape victims;

(c) Assisting rape victims in the investigation to hasten the arrest of offenders and the filing of cases in court;

(d) Ensuring the privacy and safety of rape victims;

(e) Providing psychological counselling and medical services whenever necessary for the family of rape victims;

(f) Developing and undertaking a training program for law enforcement officers, public prosecutors, lawyers, medico-legal officers, social workers, and barangay officials on human rights and responsibilities; gender sensitivity and legal management of rape cases; andalf-1awphi1

(g) Adopting and implementing programs for the recovery of rape victims.

The DSWD shall be the lead agency in the establishment and operation of the Rape Crisis Center.