World Vision Project ACE, DOJ – 10, celebrate WDAT by training service providers on Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-OSAEC laws

In partnership with Department of Justice-10 and City Inter-agency Council Against Trafficking – Violence Against Women and Children (CIACAT-VAWC), World Vision’s Project Against Child Exploitation (ACE) conducted a training workshop on Anti-Trafficking in Persons (TIP) and Anti-Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) in Cagayan De Oro City on June 25 – 28, 2023 as part of the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons (WDAT) commemoration.

The activity’s goal is to train stakeholders to assist them in identifying suspected human trafficking victims and/or perpetrators, as well as to educate them on their duties, the scope of their authority and function. Furthermore, we hope to develop camaraderie among participants from various organizations and sectors, resulting in more efficient and coherent anti-trafficking operations and activities.

WDAT, which is held annually on July 30, strives to raise awareness about human trafficking and safeguard the rights of victims of trafficking. The most vulnerable sectors, such as women and children, continue to be victims of the digital world’s myriad of threats. Crimes remain underreported not only because victims remain silent, but also because stakeholders lack necessary skills and knowledge to identify the elements of crime and its indicators. Project ACE, which aims to strengthen the capacity of the Philippine government in addressing the Worst Forms of Child Labor (WDCL), including OSAEC, determined the importance of collaborating with the Department of Justice (DOJ) in Region X, to enhance their capacity in addressing the issue.

In her inspirational message, Project ACE Director, Daphne Culanag, said, “We are very grateful to our partners from the Department of Justice Region X and City Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking – Violence Against Women and Children, for celebrating the World Day Against Trafficking, together with World Vision – Project ACE. This year’s theme, reach every victim of trafficking, leave no one behind, calls for us to continuously work together to ensure that victims of trafficking are heard and supported as well as for us to further raise awareness on these issues. With the assistance of the DOJ, we are pleased to bring together our duty bearers, particularly the service providers, to build your ability to identify suspected trafficking in persons victims and or perpetrators, and to educate you on your roles and the extent of your authorities and functions. To eradicate trafficking, let us strengthen our efforts in supporting the victims in order to end exploitation against them.”

Aside from the presentation of the salient provisions under the Anti-OSAEC and CSAEM Act, salient Provisions of R.A. No. 9208, as amended by R.A. No. 10364 and further amended by R.A. No. 11862 (Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2022) were presented by Deputy Regional Prosecutor Atty. Karl Andre G. Salcedo.

A workshop was conducted in the afternoon session where the participants were grouped to study a case scenario. This required them to determine the elements of crime and identify perpetrators. During the plenary discussion, Prosecutor Jasmin Guiuo-Diaz highlighted “there is no need to prove the means. But then again, as a matter of best practice, for the court to see the whole story, we still allege our means.”

“Let us be aware that the new battle is online, let us give our service with a heart, let our work be for all, and leave no one behind, let our efforts be collaborative and done with care for the vulnerable sector, and let us be committed to advocate for the protection of children against abuse,” underscored by Prosecutor Jerefe T. Bacang of DOJ.

With the support of the United States Department of Labor, World Vision’s Project ACE was launched to strengthen the capacity of the Philippine government to address the Worst Forms of Child Labor (WFCL), including Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC), and Violations of Acceptable Conditions of Work (ACW).

Funding is provided by the United States Department of Labor under cooperative agreement number IL 34007-19-75-K. 100 percent of the total costs of the project in the Philippines is financed with United States Department of Labor funds.

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Written by:

Pauline Giselle D. Navarro
Project ACE Communications Officer
World Vision Development Foundation
[email protected]