Butuan City, March 24-28, 2025 – In its ongoing efforts to safeguard children from online sexual abuse and exploitation, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office Caraga, through the Recovery and Reintegration Program for Trafficked Persons (RRPTP), conducted the third batch of Videotaped In-depth Disclosure Interview (VIDI) training at Go Hotels, Butuan City. The training was held in partnership with the International Justice Mission (IJM) and key stakeholders.

This five-day intensive training brought together prosecutors, Women and Children Protection Desk (WCPD) officers, social workers from DSWD and local government units, and medical professionals. Resource persons from IJM, Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center, the Agusan del Norte Women and Children Protection Units, and the Philippine National Police (PNP), Department of Justice (DOJ) Prosecution Office led the sessions. The activity aimed to enhance caseworkers’ competencies in handling sensitive cases of Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC).

VIDI is a legally sanctioned method that enables trained professionals to conduct recorded interviews with child victims of abuse, reducing the need for repeated testimonies that can cause distress and trauma. The training focused on ensuring that investigations and prosecutions are child-centered, trauma-informed, and aligned with legal standards. Topics covered included forensic interviewing techniques, evidentiary requirements, and the application of child protection laws, such as the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2022 and the Anti-OSAEC and Anti-CSAEM Act.

“This initiative reinforces DSWD Caraga’s commitment to social protection and child welfare. By equipping frontliners with the necessary skills, we aim to create a more compassionate and legally sound approach to addressing OSAEC cases,” said Mr. Jean Paul Parajes, DSWD Field Office Caraga Assistant Regional Director for Operations.

Through collaborative efforts, DSWD Caraga and its partners continue to advance policies and programs that uphold the rights and well-being of vulnerable children, ensuring that justice is both accessible and protective of their dignity.