Traffickers Switch to Online Exploitation Amidst Pandemic

“As schools are closed and majority of people stay in their homes due to the threat of COVID-19, the incidence of livestreams of child sex abuse has increased,” says a report from a local news channel in the Philippines.

Even traffickers are forced to stay home during the lockdown, and thus, are employing other ways to continue exploiting vulnerable targets.

John Tanagho, field office director of International Justice Mission in the Philippines, said that traffickers connect with sex offenders, mostly from Western countries. Offenders pay traffickers to feed live videos of abuse being done to children as instructed.

In another report, Child Rights Network, an alliance of organizations and agencies in the Philippines pushing for children’s rights legislation, calls for authorities to employ more proactive measures to protect children from all forms of abuse, both online and offline. Tanagho has also pleaded with administrators of online platforms to be more vigilant and regulate materials on their channels to prevent further spread of pornographic content.

With this increase in cybersex crime incidents, and the increase of poverty, it is evident how important our work is to protect the vulnerable. We are thankful for our in-country partner, Honor 1000 Movement, for leading this work in public schools in the Philippines. We know that when this pandemic is over, we will be ready as schools open and the new academic year starts, to continue the fight against cybersex crime in the Philippines.

If you wish to help funding this vital work, simply click below.

 

Sources:
Hernando-Malipot, M. (2 April 2020). Report incidents of child rights violations, advocates urge. Manila Bulletin.
(11 April 2020). Increase in child sex abuse livestreams observed during COVID-19 lockdowns. GMA News Online.

END POVERTY | HONOR 1000 - MICRO FINANCE PHILIPPINES | PHILIPPINES

Building Relationships With 20 New Microfinance Signups

March 8, 2024, is an eventful day for us and our Manila team as we celebrate 20 new signups to our Honor 1000 Microfinance Program! Fifteen of these mothers come from Brgy. San Pablo and our trusted coordinators carefully screened them to ensure their dedication.




PHILIPPINES | STOP CYBERSEX CRIME | STOP HUMAN TRAFFICKING

Extending our Infuence in Visayas

In light of the rising incidence of human trafficking and cybersex crimes in the Philippines, our implementing team — Honor 1000 — continues to run Cybersex and Trafficking Awareness programs throughout the country.




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Appointing Coordinators in our Microfinance Program

We continue to empower more women through our microfinance program in the Philippines. We opened a new microfinance group in Bayan-Bayanan, one of the barangays in Dinalupihan, Bataan.




PHILIPPINES | STOP CYBERSEX CRIME | STOP HUMAN TRAFFICKING

Elementary School Invites us to talk for Children’s Month Celebration

Bagong Silangan Elementary School (BSE) is one of the biggest schools in Payatas, a known dumpsite area in the Philippines.




HONOR 1000 - MICRO FINANCE PHILIPPINES | PHILIPPINES

Microfinance Member Provides Employment to Family Members

Currently, we have ten mothers attending our microfinance program orientation, where they express their commitment to pay back their loans and grow their businesses.




PHILIPPINES | STOP CYBERSEX CRIME | STOP HUMAN TRAFFICKING

4200+ Students Empowered to Protect Themselves Online

We are dedicated to expanding our Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children Awareness (OSAEC) campaign and reaching more schools. Just recently, we reached out to Benigno Aquino Elementary School and Pagalanggang Elementary School.