World Vision, Civil Society Partners, Gov’t Leaders Reaffirm Commitment Against Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children 

In a bid to strengthen efforts against Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC), World Vision joined government leaders, representatives of international organizations, civil society groups, and children and youth representatives at the Pillars of Protection: A Multisectoral Conference on OSAEC Prevention and Response, held on May 21 at Park Inn Radisson Hotel in Quezon City.  

“True child protection requires a unified, multisectoral front where government agencies, law enforcement, tech industries, churches, civil society, and local communities seamlessly share intelligence, resources, and vigilance. By weaving this protective shield together, we can ensure every Filipino child is safe both online and offline,” said World Vision National Director Dr. Herbert Carpio. 

The conference was organized in collaboration with World Vision, Nordic Liaison Office of the Royal Norwegian Embassy, International Justice Mission (IJM), Mission Alliance Philippines, Philippine Children Ministries Network (PCMN), and the Prevention and Treatment of Child Sexual Abuse (CPT-CSA). 

The event highlighted the importance of strong coordination among sectors, as participants heard accounts of OSAEC, explored child-informed responses, and engaged in policy dialogue and collective commitments to address this persistent issue. 

The Philippines remains one of the global hotspots for OSAEC.  A 2022 study by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Australian government-funded SaferKidsPH initiative found that one in every five internet-using children, aged 12 to 17, face risks of online sexual abuse and exploitation.  

The event highlighted the importance of strong coordination among sectors, as participants heard accounts of OSAEC, explored child-informed responses, and engaged in policy dialogue and collective commitments to address this persistent issue. 

During the conference, Dr. Carpio, together with World Vision-assisted child leaders from Quezon City, signed a joint manifesto reaffirming their commitment to the advocacy against OSAEC.  

Child leader Ayesha emphasized the importance of including children’s voices in efforts that affect them:  

“It’s important for children’s voices to be heard especially in causes that fight for our welfare.  We want to grow up in a world where every child feels safe, heard, and protected. This is not only a commitment for today, but a responsibility for all of us to build a safer future for every child.” 

World Vision Ambassador and broadcaster Migs Bustos underscored the urgency of addressing the issue during a panel discussion on OSAEC research and trends:  

“OSAEC is an economic, societal, and moral issue. I believe that while we have laws in place in protecting children from these such dangers, everyone has a responsibility to enforce it, in solving this perennial problem,” Bustos said. 

The conference featured keynote addresses, as well as child, youth, and survivor-led sessions grounded in lived experiences. It also included multisectoral panel discussions, participatory dialogues, and research presentations examining emerging trends and shared responsibilities in addressing OSAEC cases.  

For years, World Vision has continued to strengthen its response to OSAEC through child protection programs, advocacy initiatives, community awareness campaigns, capacity-building activities, and partnerships with government agencies and stakeholders.  

Among these, World Vision serves as co-lead for Key Result Area (KRA) 4 on Partnerships and Networking under the national government’s strategy against OSAEC and CSAEM, which is led by the National Coordination Center Against Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children and Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (NCC-OSAEC-CSAEM).  

World Vision is also an active member of the National Council Against Child Labor (NCACL), a multisectoral council chaired by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) that works to eliminate all forms of child labor, including online sexual abuse and exploitation of children.  

In addition, World Vision is not only helping strengthen the functionality of the Barangay Council for the Protection of Children and the Local Council for the Protection of Children (BCPC/LCPC) through its local programming but is also advocating for increased public investment in OSAEC prevention and response initiatives in partnership with Social Watch Philippines. 

World Vision continues to work toward creating safer environments where every child is protected from abuse, exploitation, and harm, ensuring they are safe, supported, and able to thrive, and making hope real in communities across the country.