EASY access to the internet makes children more vulnerable to online sexual abuse, a non-government organization executive said.
Evelyn Pingul, director of communications, mobilization and advocacy of International Justice Mission (IJM), said there are certain factors why children are at risk and exposed to online sexual abuse.
These are access to internet, poverty and being a good speaker of the English language, she said.
“Every community has internet connectivity, which can be used by foreign predators. Poor communities are also enticed by these foreign predators. Also, the children and the parents can speak English. This is a come-on for perpetrators because they want to connect with someone who can understand them,” Pingul explained.
While the group refused to identify the hotspot areas in country, she said that every community has a possibility to become a hotspot.
Even if there’s a decrease in cases due to aggressive campaign of the group, online sexual exploitation is still considered very alarming because it involves children, adding that most of those rescued were 12 years old and younger, Pingul said.
The youngest rescued was a two-month baby, she added.
In the global community, Philippines is a hotspot because the foreign perpetrators can connect to children, Pingul said.
She said the Federal Bureau of Investigation said the Philippines is becoming a hotspot, and that online sexual exploitation of children is considered an epidemic of a global scale.
In Bacolod City, three cases were reported last year that led to the rescue of 10 minors and an adult from suspected cybersex dens.
Awareness
Pingul said the IJM is tapping the tri-media to spread awareness about online sexual abuse of children.
“We want to highlight this issue. We want this to be a national issue. We want to call the attention of the national government so they will support (the campaign). If the media is reporting that it is happening, the people will become aware,” she said.
“People will fear the law if they see perpetrators are arrested and convicted,” she added.
Pingul also said they are pushing to elevate the Women and Children Protection Center into a group to strengthen them further.
She noted that there are only 91 personnel in Camp Crame while merely six in the Visayas field office.
More personnel are needed so they could better fulfill their mandate, she said, adding it needs the full support of the National Government.
Seminar
A team from IJM, in partnership with the Negros Occidental Provincial Government, held training-workshop on Online Sexual Exploitation of Children messaging for journalists and information officers at O’ Hotel in Bacolod City Saturday.
Catherine Muga-Noveda, IJM community mobilization manager, gave an overview about the cases victimizing children online, as she stressed this kind of abuse harms the children.
She noted that the usual suspects who exposed children in the internet were parents, relatives and neighbors. They often target foreigners.
Among the indications if there is illegal activity inside a home are: varied means for internet connection, multiple social media accounts, a lot of male foreigner friends on social media, frequently collects money from money transfer outlets, and unexplained wealth.
She also said that among the situations that could trigger trauma for the victims is being filmed or photographed.
The IJM is also collaborating with local agencies for the recovery and aftercare of the victims.
IJM partnership development officer Rebelander Basilan also gave few pointers to the media in covering and approaching the story about online sexual abuse on children due to its sensitive nature.
Senior Inspector Armilyn Vargas, public information officer of Bacolod City Police Office, urged the community to help stop the exploitation of children online.
Local law enforcers have earlier admitted they lack the capability in mounting operations involving these cases.
Vargas, who also attended the seminar-workshop, appealed to the public to be vigilant as she asked them to report to the authorities if they happen to know someone who is running a cybersex den exploiting children online.