Supreme Court upholds conviction for psychological abuse linked to marital infidelity
The Supreme Court affirmed a husband's conviction for psychological violence under the Anti-VAWC Act, finding his infidelity caused severe emotional distress to his wife.
In a 16-page opinion, the Supreme Court Second Division confirmed a husband’s conviction for violating Section 5(i) of the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act, emphasizing that the law targets psychological violence, not infidelity per se. The court accepted evidence that the wife suffered intense mental anguish, including depression, insomnia, and multiple suicide attempts, after discovering her husband’s extramarital relationship.
Psychologists linked these symptoms directly to his abandonment. The Supreme Court noted that infidelity may or may not cause such harm, but in this case it did, justifying the conviction. A dissent by Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen argued the prosecution failed to show deliberate intent to inflict anguish, urging acquittal. The ruling clarifies that emotional suffering alone is insufficient without proof of intentional psychological abuse.
Why it matters
The decision defines the scope of the Anti-VAWC law, affecting how marital infidelity cases are prosecuted.
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