66 Addressing Inequality During the Pandemic immediately to complaints of GBV, but also of ensuring protection for survivors. Navigating the legal system, securing legal and other support services for survivors of GBV is already a challenge, this is more so in cases where alleged perpetrators are members of the law enforcement and with capability of retaliation. There is an urgent need to review the protection gaps from within the referral mechanisms in these cases and to address them thereby ensuring a safe and enabling environment for women to pursue justice.248 272 With regards to the continuing complaints of insensitivity, lack of accessibility and failure to follow a survivor-centered approach in cases of GBV, the GEWHRC seeks to highlight this as a continuing issue as of the 35 complaints it received. Five (5) of them pertained to members of the law enforcement and seven (7) from other government officials as perpetrators. One of these complaints included a complaint against law enforcement as a perpetrator in a case of rape, and others pertained to insensitive handling of cases. Accounts of victim blaming were reported to have been exhibited by desk officers of PNP Women’s Desks and in the barangay. In one instance, the women’s desk officers repeatedly and asked seemingly threatening questions regarding the rape survivor’s account, doubted the veracity of the survivor’s account, and was perceived to be discouraging the survivor from filing the case. In another, a case of VAWC was recommended to be settled by the Barangay and even by the prosecutors’ office.249 273 In the Commission’s cases involving a deaf survivor, GEWHRC continued to note the absence of sign language interpreters in government office–from one stop shops for GBV, in police stations, in hospitals, and in the prosecutor’s office. This absence of sign language interpreters for deaf complainants disproportionately place the burden on survivors–to pay for and procure their own sign language interpreters, to seek for advocacy groups to help them, or to seek assistance with the Commission. With the adoption of the Filipino Sign Language Law, this has to change. 250 274 Accessibility of interpreters should be mainstreamed in government offices, and processes should be adopted to ensure accessible complaint mechanisms for women with different kinds of disability, and other groups of marginalized women and individuals. Additionally, the burden of filing complaints in the context of a pandemic should be taken into consideration, and support therefore be provided–including supporting presence of SLIs, providing transportation support, ensuring shelters are open, and psychosocial and other services available remotely.251 275 The GEWHRC also stressed the continuing concern over the rising number of GBV committed in online spaces. In the series of webinars on Safe Spaces organized by GEWHR in April, May and August 2021, and in the results of their Regional Mapping of GBV referral mechanisms—it is evident that cases of GBV committed in online spaces remain very high. With work shifting primarily to digital and online spaces, online sexual exploitation, committed mostly against children, young girls, and against women, remains 248 Commission on Human Rights Gender Equality and Women’s Human Rights Center. (2021). Gender Ombud Report: January to June 2021 249 Commission on Human Rights Gender Equality and Women’s Human Rights Center. (2021). Gender Ombud Report: January to June 2021 250 Commission on Human Rights Gender Equality and Women’s Human Rights Center. (2021). Gender Ombud Report: January to June 2021 251 Commission on Human Rights Gender Equality and Women’s Human Rights Center. (2021). Gender Ombud Report: January to June 2021