TY  - BOOK
AU  - Bordario, Shane Anne C.,
AU  - Enriquez, Jairo B.,
AU  - Paler, Shermaine L.,
AU  - Reuyan, Janice,
AU  - Tariao, Gia Desiree P.,
TI  - Behind the badge : : exploring the lived experiences of female police officers on handling violence against women and children cases at Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu 
PY  - 2025///
CY  - Cebu City, Philippines
PB  - University of Cebu-Banilad
KW  - Female police officers
KW  - VAWC cases
KW  - Lived experiences
KW  - Women and children protection desk
KW  - Qualitative research
KW  - Phenomenological study
KW  - Lapu-Lapu City
N1  - Includes bibliographical references; Adult
N2  - "Female police officers make crucial contributions to law enforcement, bringing varied perspectives and abilities that enrich the field (Diaz & Nuño, 2021). Female officers contribute distinctive abilities to law enforcement, such as strong problem-solving and conflict resolution skills, among others. Furthermore, women pursuing careers in this field have the opportunity to work and serve within their communities, playing a role in enhancing local safety. This study aimed to obtain the responses of female police officers working at the Women and Children's Protection Desk [WCPD] at Lapu-lapu, City regarding their experiences in handling Violence Against Women and Children [VAWC] cases, as mentioned above.

The study employed a qualitative research design, using a phenomenological approach, to deeply explore officers experiences, challenges, coping mechanisms, and insights. Key Informants were a select group of female police officers assigned to the Women and Children Protection Desks (WCPD) in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu. Data were gathered through in-depth, semi-structured interviews, Findings present the responses of the selected female police officers in Lapu-Lapu City, and thematic analysis was used to analyze the collected data. Findings show that the prevalent experiences before and after engaging with VAWC cases included significant emotional burden, secondary traumatic stress, and challenges in maintaining work-life balance. Many officers reported personal sacrifices in terms of time and emotional energy. Additionally, they highlighted the critical importance of their gender in building rapport and trust with victims.

The female officers of the Women and Children Protection Desk [WCPD] deliver essential trauma-informed services that are critical to enforcing laws against violence against women and children [VAWC] and securing justice in Lapu-Lapu City. However, their effectiveness is at risk due to the absence of mandated, systematic psychological support, which results in high levels of vicarious trauma and burnout. It is highly recommended that the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office formally establish regular, mandatory mental health check-ins and debriefing sessions as a standard practice for all Women and Children Protection Desk [WCPD] personnel. This strategy supports the Philippine National Police's overall mission to enhance their response to violence against women and children by incorporating trauma-informed care and working closely with local partners, while also prioritizing the emotional health of frontline officers to help them continue their crucial work with strength and compassion." —Abstract
ER  -