Philippines is a global hotspot for online sexual exploitation of children, with eight times more case referrals than other countries. The latest International Justice Mission report also showed that majority of the victims are female with ages ranging from 10 to 15 years and some even under 1 year old. Sadly, a lot of the identified perpetrators are the children’s own parents or close relatives.
This information is alarming knowing that a lot of children are staying home due to the lockdown, with potential perpetrators.
Before the lockdown, our partner Honor 1000, completed Online Safety Campaign sessions in selected ‘hotspot’ schools, reaching a total of 950 primary school students. They also recently conducted a community-wide Human Trafficking Awareness Campaign (HTAC), which was attended by 109 parents. These efforts inform both children and their parents on the dangers of online exploitation and how to avoid it and where to go for help if they ever need it.
Several more community-wide HTAC events were lined up, although these were postponed due to the pandemic. These events will resume once lockdown is lifted and communities’ safety from any health risk is ensured.
Source: International Justice Mission, May 2020. Online Sexual Exploitation of Children in the Philippines: Analysis and Recommendations for Governments, Industry and Civil Society.
WE NEED YOUR HELP
Over the next months, we’ll see a surge of human trafficking and cybersex crime cases as this current pandemic pushes a lot of vulnerable people into desperate measures. Check out the links below to know how you can help!
You can also sign up for our August 2020 Stop Trafficking 5K event and setup your own fundraiser:
US$50, we can fund one cyber safety training session for 50 students or 30 moms
US$500, we can fund one complete cyber safety program for 50 students
US$5,000, co-sponsor an entire program for a high-risk school (with over 500 students)
Our Partners
Last May, Tim, a senior manager of Unionbank, initiated an outreach for the beneficiaries of our Manila Slum Program. His group helped us encourage the children to go to school. Tim’s influence in the company grows as more branches of Unionbank reach out to us because they also want to help.
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Geraldine is part of our microfinance program in the Philippines. With all four of her children studying, Geraldine ensures her made-to-order rice cakes stand out from the rest. She has shown that rice cakes, which are typically plain in color, can also be fun and exciting. These are just some of the designs that she's made.Read the full article...
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We recently conducted an online safety seminar and distributed OSEC information and activity booklets to the 146 beneficiaries of the Manila Slum Program.
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Our field partner in the Philippines, HONOR 1000, interviewed another batch of beneficiaries for our Manila Slum Program. To identify the second batch of beneficiaries, we visited two schools near the area. One of the Principals, Dr. Ryan, was very eager to partner with us especially when he learned that we are helping families from Ronas Garden....
12 SHARES
Lieza is a Filipina mother of three children under 10 years old. She joined our microfinance program in the Philippines last year because their second child is about to start school and she knows that it would mean an increase in their family's expenses. She currently owns a small store where she sells snacks and other food...
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With the progress we are making in the Philippines towards child protection, our field partner Honor 1000 was invited to be part of Loyola Heights’ Barangay Council for the Protection of Children (BCPC).
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