AS child-focused agencies and members of the global movement committed to protecting the rights of children, we now join forces to end all forms of child sexual violence in the Philippines, where 8 out of 10 children are at risk of online sexual abuse.
ow an alliance unified by the shared duty to safeguard children and their future, we recognize the magnitude of online sexual exploitation of children as both a growing global and domestic problem in the face of rapid development.
Today, we have come together, and vow to work together to save our children from the threats and dangers hidden in the vicious strands of the World Wide Web.
We recognize the boundlessness of the cyberspace, and the power, possibilities, and perils that the internet hold, making every Filipino child and youth increasingly vulnerable to the many heinous forms and sometimes unconceivable faces of online sexual abuse.
We, rallying as one for both real and virtual worlds that are safe and secure for our children, now stand firm against online sexual exploitation of children in all forms and circumstances, whether or not done deliberately, whether a consequence of poverty, inequality, and disaster, conflict or emergency. We strongly condemn any gross violation and assault on the rights, innocence, and dignity of every child.
And in this continued fight, the Alliance declares the children and young people as its strongest allies. Rather that inescapable victims, we see them as powerful crime-stoppers, and eventually future leaders who will turn the tide of child sexual violence.
We stand with the global community to help children gain access to quality education, health services and protect them from risks and harm particularly sexual exploitation. We aim to ensure the protection of children mostly those living in poor communities to have access to quality basic services and have their rights protected.
Today, in the first ever National Children’s Solutions Summit on Online Sexual Exploitation of Children, we proclaim the power and meaningful participation of children and youth in combatting online child sexual exploitation in the country. We will echo their calls to action, and most importantly, we will progress with child-led solutions.
As we fight alongside our children, we hope to lead our nation to positive systemic and social change. But we know that when there is more to be done, we need more partners to fight as one.
To parents, community leaders, duty bearers, power holders, and policymakers, we demand immediate action. We demand you to help save that child who unwillingly signs in to the evil of going online. We demand you to log out of your quiet and comforts and join us. We – and every Filipino child – demand it NOW.(PR)