A female student from the University of Santo Tomas told her story of alleged physical abuse at the hands of her boyfriend.
On July 14, Biology student known as Diane Kimberly opened up in a Twitter thread about her alleged former relationship with fellow student, Kyle Viray, that went from “great and exciting” to “abusive.”
He got so furious at the thought na i was gonna have a drink with my friend and that’s the first time he hit me.
— Kim (@dianekiimberly) July 14, 2018
In airing her tale, she explained that she aims to help others who are still in the same situation she had just gotten out of.
“Actually this goes for all people, never ever let someone treat you badly, abuse you in any way, just because you love him/her so much,” the student wrote in the now-viral post.
Many expressed sympathy for the student, including some organizations in the age-old university.
We denounce all forms of abusive behavior and we most strongly condemn the physical and emotional abuse inflicted by a member of the Thomasian community in this case. These acts do not uphold the Thomasian core values and must never be tolerated and accepted. https://t.co/fKFEX8M4m9
— Thomasian Youth Ambassadors and Ambassadress (@TYAA2018) July 15, 2018
Kung ikaw ay isang biktima o may kakilalang biktima ng karahasan, gawing batayan ang VAWC o R.A. 9262.
Sa kabila ng mga pangyayari sa mga nakalipas na araw, tumutulong ang organisasyon sa isang biktima na Tomasino sa lahat ng aming makakaya.https://t.co/2BmPwcgpJM
— UST Hiraya (@hiraya_ust) July 15, 2018
Others found out that Kimberly was possibly not that only victim of Viray.
kyle viray has a history of abusing the girls he's dating, here's another post of one of his victims:https://t.co/OT9KAGGMcr
— MACABEBE REXHA (@MillennialOfMNL) July 15, 2018
A case had already been filed against Viray, who faces a period of community service and exclusion from graduation rites, Kimberly said in another post.
As of writing, details are still unclear. Viray has not yet issued his side of the story.
What the law says
Any form of relationship abuse is punishable under the Republic Act No. 9262 or “Anti-Violence against Women and Their Children Act of 2004.”
In section 3, the term “violence” covers those actions committed by a person against a woman whom he has relations with, including “a sexual or dating relationship.” Physical abuse, on the other hand, involves all “acts that include bodily or physical harm.”
This is further explained in section 5, wherein inflicting “physical harm” to the woman and using self-harm to control her actions and decisions are considered violent acts.
The penalties on these forms of abuse or violence vary, which also depends on the provisions of Chapter Two—Physical Injuries in the Revised Penal Code.
Aside from jail time, a person proven guilty of violent acts against a woman or her child shall also pay a minimum fine of P100,000.
What the school handbook says
As UST has yet to issue a statement on the case, some aired their disappointment over the university’s “minor” sanctions for the behavior.
UST had the audacity to fire a senior high teacher who ranted here in Twitter and gave an asshole like — Kyle Viray JUST a community service for beating up his ex girlfriend and some more girls.
And you're what? A proud Roman Catholic university? Tangina niyo.
— Blaise x Arya ?? (@kathipuneraaa) July 15, 2018
The UST student handbook points out that physical injuries committed by a student against another is a violation of the Code of Conduct and Discipline of the institution.
The penalty may range from “warning, parental admonition, suspension, exclusion to expulsion,” and shall be up to the university’s administrators to determine and impose.
