DAHIL sa nakaaalarmang bilang ng pagdami ng kaso ng online “sexual abuse at exploitation of children” (OSAEC) kung saan ang Pilipinas ay itinuturing na ngayong hotspot sa mga ganitong insidente, ang pamahalaan ng lungsod ng Quezon ay nakipagsanib puwersa sa ilang advocacy na grupo upang sugpuin ito.
Ito ang tinalakay sa komperensya na may temang “Joint effort of the local government and several stakeholders in combatting online sexual abuse and exploitation of children” na ginanap sa Novotel kamakailan.
Nakipagsanib puwersa ang pamahalaan ng lungsod Quezon sa advocacy groups na Mission Alliance Philippines (MAP), ang Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Child Sexual Abuse (CPTCSA) the Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Child Sexual Abuse (CPTCSA), Philippine Children’s Ministries Network (PCMN), Plan International Pilipinas, at Royal Norwegian Embassy sa Manila.
Ayon sa MAP, ang Pilipinas ay isa ng itinuturing na hotspot para sa OSAEC.Sa isang pag-aaral umano ng 2020 na isinagawa sa OSAEC sa bansa, naipakita na umaabot sa 80 % ng mga kabataang Pilipino ay maaari umanong maging biktima ng online sexual abuse.
SA 2022 Disrupting Harm Study na isinagawa ng UNICEF,ECPAT International and Interpol, sinabi ng mga tagapagsalita na 20% ng mga kabataang edad 12 -17 na gumagamit ng internet ay nagiging biktima ng OSAEC, na katumbas ng dalawang milyong kabataan.
“Combating child abuse and exploitation has been a challenge for the government, especially with the emergence of technology. We, the Quezon City Government, are grateful for this partnership led by Norwegian Ambassador to the Philippines Christian Lyster. Together, we can minimize the cases of, if not end, Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children and protect our youth,” ang sabi ni Mayor Joy Belmonte.
“The Philippines is a hotspot for online sexual abuse and exploitation of children. Norway, through the Nordic Police Liaison Office, works closely with Philippine law enforcement agencies to combat OSAEC. Investigation and prosecution are not enough. We must create awareness on this challenging problem to prevent victims from being abused. I hope that this conference will contribute to discussions on keeping children safe,” sabi ni Norwegian Ambassador to the Philippines Christian Lyster. MA. LUISA GARCIA