World Vision calls to stop OSAEC, urges government to fully implement RA 11930

World Vision Development Foundation firmly believes that children must be protected from all forms of abuse and exploitation, particularly in the online world where perpetrators can easily harm them.

“Together with our partners across the country, we at World Vision firmly stand against child exploitation,” said Rommel Fuerte, World Vision National Director.

He added, “Through Project ACE, we offer our humble contribution to addressing the Worst Forms of Child Labor, including Online Sexual Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and violations of acceptable conditions of work in the Philippines.”

Recently, the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) released data that shows the Philippines as the second worldwide in online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC) – one of the worst forms of child labor in the country.

Fuerte said, “Amidst this seemingly impossible challenge, we put our faith in God’s greatness and power over our lives. We pray for strength and courage from the LORD in light of His Word in Psalm 82:3-4 NIV: ‘Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.’”

Meanwhile, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Chief Ivan Uy stated that poverty remains the root cause of the problem while admitting that the agency lacks the technical equipment to fight OSAEC in the Philippines.

He then proposed an additional budget with a P5.6 billion increase. On the other hand, the Department of Justice through the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT), expresses dismay at the lack of cooperation from various companies that own messaging applications in its fights against human trafficking.

As for World Vision, the organization has been working with the Philippine government to address the child protection issue through its Project Against Child Exploitation funded by the US Department of Labor.

Since it started in 2019, the project has been strengthening the capacity of the government to address Worst Forms of Child Labor (WFCL), including Online Sexual Exploitation of Children (OSEC) and violations of acceptable conditions of work (ACW) in the Philippines. These include improving the enforcement of the legal framework and policies, assistance services to the victims of child labor, and strengthening partnerships to accelerate progress in addressing the WFCL, including OSEC, and violations of acceptable conditions of work.

Thus, World Vision calls on the full implementation of the Republic Act 11930, also known as the “Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (CSAEM) Act.” The organization is also calling for proper budget allocation, strengthened programs and services, and cooperation with messaging platforms in ending OSAEC.

As a global humanitarian organization dedicated to improving the lives of children, their families, and communities, World Vision joins other child rights advocates and the Philippine government in condemning such heinous crime that continues to endanger children’s lives.

Together, let us stand #AgainstChildExploitation!