Here’s a clear, practice-oriented legal article on filing a VAWC psychological abuse complaint against a partner in the Philippines—what qualifies, who’s covered, where to file, what to attach, immediate protective remedies (BPO/TPO/PPO), criminal vs. civil angles, evidence that convinces prosecutors and judges, defenses you’ll face (and how to counter), and ready-to-use templates.

VAWC Psychological Abuse Complaint Against a Partner (Philippines)

What VAWC covers—and who’s protected

Republic Act No. 9262 (Violence Against Women and Their Children, “VAWC”) protects:

Women who are or were: a wife, former wife, live-in partner, former live-in partner, girlfriend in a dating relationship, or a woman with whom the offender has or had a sexual relationship (need not be exclusive), and
Her child/children (legitimate, illegitimate, stepchild, or under her care).

The offender is the man with that intimate/dating/sexual relation to the woman (or the partner/father figure vis-à-vis the child). Abuse may occur during or after the relationship.

You do not need to be married to use VAWC. Dating and former partners are covered.

What is “psychological abuse” under VAWC?

Any act or omission causing mental or emotional suffering to the woman or her child, including:

Threats, intimidation, coercion, humiliation, verbal/emotional abuse, gaslighting.
Stalking/harassment—offline or online (messages, fake accounts, doxxing, spyware).
Controlling behaviors: surveillance, isolating from friends/family, restricting work or study, monitoring devices/accounts.
Economic control that inflicts psychological harm (e.g., unjustified withholding of support as control/punishment).
Exposing a child to abuse of the mother (children’s witnessing of violence is itself psychological abuse of the child).
Public ridicule, non-consensual sharing of intimate images (also implicates other crimes).

One severe act can suffice; more often, prosecutors look for a pattern.

Two tracks you can run simultaneously

Criminal case for psychological violence (penalties include imprisonment, fines, and mandatory counseling).
Protection Orders to stop the abuse immediately, even before a criminal case is resolved:
- BPO (Barangay Protection Order): quick, summary relief against threats/harassment/physical violence; issued by the barangay.
- TPO (Temporary Protection Order): issued by the court, often ex parte; typically effective for 30 days.
- PPO (Permanent Protection Order): after hearing; effective until lifted/modified.

You can file both a criminal complaint and a petition for TPO/PPO; a BPO can be obtained the same day in many barangays.

Where to file and the usual flow

A) For Protection Orders

BPO: your barangay (Punong Barangay or designated official).
TPO/PPO: Family Court/RTC where you (the woman) reside; attach a verified petition and annexes.

B) For the Criminal Case

Police (PNP Women and Children Protection Desk) or NBI: to blotter and assist in preparing a complaint-affidavit and gathering digital/forensic evidence.
Office of the City/Provincial Prosecutor: file your complaint-affidavit with annexes → preliminary investigation (subpoena to respondent) → resolution → if probable cause, information is filed in court.

No barangay conciliation is required for VAWC criminal cases.

Elements you must generally show (criminal psychological abuse)

A qualifying relationship (spouse/partner/former/dating/sexual relation; or child under the woman’s care).
Acts or omissions by the respondent causing mental/emotional anguish, public ridicule or humiliation, or similar harm.
Causation: link between the acts and your psychological suffering (anxiety, fear, sleeplessness, depression, panic attacks, etc.).

A psychological evaluation is powerful evidence but not strictly required—your testimony, corroborated by messages/witnesses, can suffice.

What a Protection Order can include

No-contact / stay-away (home, work, school, online platforms; bans direct/indirect contact).
Electronic restraints (no calls, texts, tags, DMs, posts/mentions).
Exclusive use of the residence; police assistance to retrieve belongings.
Temporary custody/visitation rules.
Child support (and sometimes support for the woman).
Surrender of firearms; cancellation of permits.
Mandatory counseling or psychological intervention.
Other tailored relief to stop harassment and prevent recurrence.

Violation of a BPO/TPO/PPO is a separate punishable act.

Evidence playbook (what convinces decision-makers)

1) Digital trail (make it courtroom-ready)

Full chat/email threads, screenshots and native exports with timestamps, usernames, and URLs.
Call logs/voicemails; social media posts, comments, tags; location check-ins.
If spyware/stalkerware suspected: device screenshots, app lists, unusual permissions.

Integrity tips: keep original files; export metadata/headers when available; avoid editing; keep an evidence log (who captured, when/how).

2) Witnesses & real-world corroboration

Neighbors, friends, co-workers who observed threats/humiliation or saw your distress.
Barangay blotters, HR incident reports, building/CCTV logs.

3) Professional documentation

Psychological/psychiatric evaluation, therapy notes, medical certificates describing symptoms/diagnoses linked to the abuse; receipts for treatment/meds.

4) Economic control

Proof of withheld support (unpaid tuition, medical bills), sudden cutting of allowances; messages tying money to control.

Present a timeline: escalation, peaks of abuse, impact on daily functioning; attach exhibits chronologically.

Drafting the filings

A) Petition for TPO/PPO (Family Court) – include:

Parties and qualifying relationship.
Specific acts (dates, platforms, places), impact on your mental health, and risk of recurrence.
Reliefs sought (no-contact; stay-away; online restraints; custody/support; firearms surrender; counseling).
Annexes: screenshots/exports, medical/psych notes, witness affidavits, blotters.

B) Criminal Complaint-Affidavit (Prosecutor) – include:

Relationship and residence details (venue).
Narrative of acts constituting psychological abuse.
Causation and harm (psychological symptoms; work/school disruption).
Prayer for subpoenas to platforms/telcos (subscriber info, login/IP logs) and for protective measures if needed.
Annex all evidence; label Annex “A,” “B,” etc. Use a USB plus printed copies.

Immediate safety & digital hygiene

Change passwords; enable 2FA; review device/app permissions; scan for stalkerware; turn off geotagging.
Tell trusted friends/family; arrange check-ins.
If danger is acute, seek police assistance and a BPO the same day.

Custody and support (parallel relief)

VAWC orders can grant temporary custody and child support promptly.
File or prepare separate cases (custody/support) for long-term arrangements; VAWC orders remain enforceable meanwhile.

Venue, prescription, and bail

Venue: where you reside or where any material act occurred (including online acts that reached you there).
Prescription: VAWC offenses generally prescribe in 20 years from commission; file promptly nonetheless—fresh evidence is more persuasive.
Bail: usually available for the accused; violations of protection orders are separately criminal.

Common defenses—and how to respond

“It’s just lovers’ quarrel/free speech.” → VAWC punishes violent control causing psychological harm, not disagreement. Show pattern, impact, and intent (threats, coercion, humiliation).
“No physical injury, so no crime.” → Physical injury is not required for psychological abuse; mental/emotional anguish is the harm.
“She has no psych report.” → Helpful but not indispensable; corroborated testimony + digital trail can establish harm. If possible, obtain an evaluation.
“Messages are fake.” → Offer native exports, device custody explanation, platform confirmations (via subpoenas), and witness identification of accounts/handles.

After you get an order—enforcement

Give certified copies to your barangay, PNP, workplace/school security.
Log every violation with dates, screenshots, witnesses.
Report violations immediately; prosecutors may file a separate case for the breach and move to tighten conditions.

Money aspects: damages and costs

Courts may award actual damages (therapy, relocation, device cleanup), moral and exemplary damages, plus attorney’s fees in proper cases.
Keep receipts and a damage spreadsheet.

Practical timelines (typical, not guaranteed)

BPO: same day to a few days.
TPO: often within 24–72 hours from filing (ex parte possible).
PPO: after hearing (weeks to a few months).
Criminal PI: weeks to months; trial longer—many matters settle or stabilize once strong orders issue.

Ready-to-use templates

1) Incident Log (keep this running)

Date/Time:
What happened (exact words/acts; platform/place):
Impact (panic attack, insomnia, missed work):
Proof attached (Annex A-1, A-2…):
Reported to (barangay/PNP/HR), Ref No.:

2) Petition for TPO – Key “Prayer” Clauses (adapt)

Petitioner prays for a Temporary Protection Order directing Respondent to: (a) Cease and desist from any form of contact, including calls, SMS, chat, email, social-media posts/tags/mentions, and contact through third parties; (b) Stay at least [xxx] meters away from Petitioner’s residence, workplace, and child’s school; (c) Surrender any firearms and related licenses; (d) Pay temporary support of ₱[amount]/month for the minor child [Name], itemized in Annex __; (e) Undergo psychological counseling; (f) Such other reliefs as are just and equitable.

3) Criminal Complaint – Acknowledgment & Annexing

I am executing this affidavit to charge [Name] for psychological violence under RA 9262. The acts caused me anxiety, panic attacks, and insomnia, for which I am undergoing therapy (Annex C). Annex A series are screenshots and native exports of messages from [platform/number] sent on [dates], including threats. Annex B contains witness affidavits of [names] who observed the harassment.

Strategic tips that move the needle

Be specific: dates, times, exact words, platform links.
Ask for digital-age terms in orders (no tags/mentions; no contact via third parties).
File early: the sooner you lock in a TPO, the safer you are and the stronger your criminal case foundation.
Safety first: change routines; share your order with guards/HR; consider a crisis counselor.

FAQs

Do I need a lawyer? Not strictly for BPO and initial TPO filings, but counsel helps with drafting and court hearings. PAO may assist if you qualify.

Can VAWC apply to same-sex partners? VAWC, by text, protects women against violence by a male partner; other statutes (e.g., Safe Spaces Act, RPC offenses) and civil remedies may still protect you.

Can I file in my new city after moving? Yes. You may file where you reside now or where the abuse occurred.

He keeps contacting me through friends. Orders can and should prohibit indirect contact. Document and report violations.

Bottom line

VAWC covers psychological abuse—online or offline—by a current or former intimate male partner, or against a child under the woman’s care.
Use Protection Orders (BPO → TPO → PPO) for immediate safety, and file a criminal complaint to hold him accountable.
Win with a clean timeline, solid digital evidence, professional corroboration, and precise reliefs tailored to your risks.
After an order issues, enforce relentlessly—document, report, and ask the court to escalate consequences for violations.

This is general legal information (Philippine context), not legal advice. If you share your situation (city, relationship status, sample screenshots, whether a child is involved), I can draft a tailored TPO prayer, a criminal complaint outline, and a checklist you can use immediately.