2021 National Human Rights Situation Report 65 government employees/elected officials. Intimate partner violence (RA 9262) remains the highest number of complaints, followed by rape/attempted rape, with the third highest complaint pertaining to threats. In all these, many of the violations were committed in online spaces. Violations of the Safe Spaces Act particularly online sexual harassment have been reported in several Facebook groups including groups on online selling, bike groups, and even in deaf community groups were rape videos were dessiminated. This semester, the portal received and facilitated the legal assistance and support of two deaf survivors of violence. There were also continuing reports of insensitivity of service providers – discouraging reporting as in the case of a VAWC case reported in Tanay and another case of insensitive handling of a rape case in Iloilo. These highlight the need to continue ensuring and monitoring of the delivery of survivor centered service on the ground and to strengthen accountability mechanisms.243 267 The E-lawyering project of the Protection cluster has rendered services to 21 women and girls, most cases pertaining to violations of RA 9262, followed by cases of violence committed in online spaces.244 268 Although data from the PNP has not yet come in, the GEWHRC identified three worrying trends in GBV in the first half of 2021: 1) cases where members of the PNP are perpetrator and the question of security and impunity; 2) complaints regarding insensitivity, including lack of provisions for accessibility, and/or failure to respond to the case by the duty bearer; and 3) the continuing rise of GBV committed in online spaces.245 269 Deeply concerning to the Commission is the particular case of Ritchie Nepomuceno, one of the three women who filed criminal, administrative, and human rights cases against members of PNP Cebu for the rape and torture they committed during detention. According to Ritchie, she was one of the two victims who were tortured by at least 11 cops inside a secret room at the Pasil Police Station 6 (Sawang Calero Police station) in Cebu City. Ritchie filed the criminal and administrative case on 22 March 2021 before the Integrity Monitoring and Enhancement Group Visayas Field Unit (IMEG-VFU). On 19 April 2021, Ritchie was shot dead by unidentified assailants. In these cases, immediate investigations were conducted by the PNP. The cops were also administratively dismissed while cases were investigated. In a further development, the cop who allegedly raped Ritchie committed suicide two hours after she was shot down.246 270 In response, the Commission issued a statement denouncing the persistence of violence against women, especially those perpetrated by state actors. The Commission stressed that women victims, as key witnesses, should be granted full protection from any form of retaliation or attacks to ensure that they may exercise their right to participate in investigations and legal proceedings. Conduct of speedy investigation was enjoined as there are other complaints who remain vulnerable to such violence.247 271 For the Commission, it was clear that the case of Ritchie highlighted protection gap for women survivors of GBV. This case highlight not only the importance of responding 243 Commission on Human Rights Gender Equality and Women’s Human Rights Center. (2021). Gender Ombud Report: January to June 2021 244 Inquiries involved sextortion committed in online spaces; violation of Anti-photo and video voyeurism act 245 Commission on Human Rights Gender Equality and Women’s Human Rights Center. (2021). Gender Ombud Report: January to June 2021 246 Two women claim being tortured in Cebu City Police Station. Rappler. 5 April 2021. https://www.rappler.com/nation/ women-say-were-tortured-secret-room-cebu-city-police-station (Accessed 31 August 2021) 247 Commission on Human Rights Gender Equality and Women’s Human Rights Center. (2021). Gender Ombud Report: January to June 2021