The Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) under the leadership of Executive Director Brenda S. Vigo, together with other stakeholders on children condemn the recent reports on child sexual abuse and child pornography cases.

CWC is the government’s inter-agency body which is mandated to formulate policies and plans for children’s well-being and monitor the implementation and enforcement of laws to protect and promote children’s rights. CWC is closely monitoring the persistent issues on violation of children’s rights including the child sexual abuse and pornography in cyberspace. CWC monitors these issues in coordination with the Inter-Agency Council Against Child Pornography (IACACP) chaired by the DSWD and the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) chaired by the DOJ. Efforts already undertaken by law enforcers included the conduct of raid operations in Cordova, Cebu on child pornography cases

Child Pornography is a new form of child sexual exploitation fuelled by rapid technological advances, increasing global connectivity, persisting poverty rates, and growing disparity in the global distribution of resources.

DSWD data showed 46 cases of child pornography and cyber pornography served from 2010 to 2013 while PNP Angelnet reported 12 cases of child pornography, 2 cases of on-line child abuse and 2 cases of cyber-bullying from March to November 2013. On the other hand, the Terre des Hommes Netherlands exploratory study on the background and psychosocial consequences of web cam tourism in the Philippines (conducted in the 44 cases of victims of webcam child sex tourism in Angeles City and Taguig City, Cebu City and municipalities of Cordova and Dalaguete in Cebu Province) reveals that the country’s web cam child sex tourism is proliferating and spreading quickly through the use of internet. This phenomenon, according to the study remained undiscovered until 2011 when the country successfully prosecuted its first case against two Swedish nationals and three Filipinos. Children involved in webcam child sex tourism generally perform webcam sex shows from their home computers, from Internet cafes, or from what are known as “cybersex dens”. Webcam sex operations have become widespread and family members are aware that a lot of money is earned from it.

A Policy forum on Protecting Children in the Cyberage co-organized by CWC, IACACP, IACAT and DOJ was conducted in December 2013. The concerned agencies, service providers, faith-based groups and children were gathered to discuss emerging concerns on child pornography and committed action points to address the issue.

As part of CWCs advocacy initiatives, a week-long campaign on the 18th National Awareness Week Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation from February 8-15, 2014 with the theme: “Proteksyon ng Bata…Tungkulin ng Bawat Isa”. Activities to be undertaken are: Fun and Learning Day with Children organized by ECPAT Philippines and Ateneo-TUGON, Policy Forum on Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation in the Cyberspace and Sunset Walk for the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation.

For more details, please contact –
Mr. Elino L Bardillon/Ms. Laureen C. Musa
Telephone No. 7811039 local 1005/2003
Source: http://www.cwc.gov.ph