“Kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan” – A famous line that is seldom used to highlight the importance of the youth during events in school and programs for children or the youth. But does this old adage still hold true to the children and the youth of today, knowing that the Philippines has a high incidence rate of children falling into different kinds of abuses? How can the younger generations be the future of the nation if early on in life, they have been victims of abuses?

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), through the Field Office Caraga, spearheaded by the Recovery and Reintegration Program of the Trafficked Persons, held a 3-day Training in Handling Online Child Abuse cases on October 9-11, 2019 at Dotties Place, Butuan City.

The said activity was attended and participated by the Social Workers from the different Local Government Units in Caraga, Case Managers from the DSWD Home For Girls, and Community Based Social Workers.

The sessions and discussion were done by resource persons from the International Justice Mission (IJM) Cebu represented by Marymar Lutao Jurolan, Paralegal of IJM and Dr. Clara Nemia C. Antipala, Director of Aftercare , also from IJM.

 

The said activity highlighted the risks children are facing with the advancements in technology, specifically the internet.

Online sexual exploitation of children (OSEC) refers to child sexual exploitation which is facilitated or takes place through social media. Despite the legal mandate to stop OSEC in the Philippines through Republic Act 10364 (Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012) and Republic Act 9775 (Anti Child-Pornography Act of 2009), OSEC remains to be a problem of the government.

The reason why OSEC is still active and powerful is because of the widespread poverty in the country. Impoverished families are often lured by online vultures who are into sexual molestation of minors. Parents, family members, relatives, and even guardians who are financially challenged are often enticed to use their children for cyber molestation.

The government is encouraging everyone to be more vigilant and active in stopping OSEC and other human trafficking activities. DSWD, together with other agencies, NGOs, CSOs, and LGUs are working hard to track down and take down traffickers and cyber criminals to ensure the welfare of the youth, especially children who are very vulnerable to abuses. #