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| Filipino kids are highly vulnerable to online sexual abuse (IJM photo for illustration only) |
These shocking statistics were shared by global organization, International Justice Mission, during a briefing session with a number of Hong Kong executives on Nov. 21, to raise awareness about its work in the Philippines.
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| PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE |
IJM executives led by its CEO and founder, Gary Haugen, explained how they tap the help of local authorities in 16 countries to rescue and rehabilitate survivors, hold perpetrators accountable and help strengthen public justice systems so they can better protect people from violence.
Through such work, IJM has not only stopped the abuse of a number of young people, but also helped in the successful prosecution of a number of offenders.
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| IJM CEO Gary Haugen with IJM Philippines' Samson Inocencio at HK briefing |
Consider these: A 32-year-old woman in Davao City was arrested for offering to sexually abuse not only her six-year-old son, but also a one-year-old girl, for profit.
The Davao City Regional Trial Court subsequently sentenced the woman last month to four life sentences, and ordered her to pay Php 6 million in fines and Php1.5 million in moral, civil and exemplary damages.
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In another case just three months earlier, police in the Philippines rescued four young children who were used by their own parents in livestreamed child sexual abuse. The children – a nine-year-old girl, a six-year-old boy, and two-year-old twins – were siblings.
The children have been placed in the care of social workers who will help them heal from the traumatic experience, while their parents face charges of human trafficking, child abuse, cybercrime, and online sexual abuse and exploitation of children.
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In both cases, IJM provided technical and legal support during the investigation and was consulted by government prosecutors during the early stages of the trial in Davao.
Lawyer and IJM Cebu Director Lucille Dejito who was among those consulted in the case said severe punishments will help intensify deterrence for the crime, but it is equally important for people in the community to be vigilant and active in reporting cases of online sexual abuse to authorities.
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| HK executives were all ears during the compelling IJM presentation |
In 2016, IJM focused on combating online sexual exploitation of children in the Philippines, in particular the trafficking of children to create new child sexual abuse materials, including via livestreaming.
As a result of this work, IJM said there has been a dramatic drop in the number of incidents of sex trafficking of children in bars and brothels across the Philippines, reaching a high range of 72% to 86% in cities where it partnered with local authorities.
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As of 26 October 2023, Philippine authorities, supported by IJM and other groups committed to stopping the nefarious trade, have brought 1,198 children to safety and arrested 372 suspected perpetrators, with at least 212 traffickers now convicted.
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But given the big number of children who continue to be drawn into the sex trafficking ring, more work needs to be done, and IJM through its Hong Kong office, is looking at raising greater awareness of its work, and to establish partnerships with various groups and individuals to attain its mission.
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| BASAHIN ANG DETALYE |
Click on this link to learn more: https://ijmhk.org/en/our-work/online-sexual-exploitation-of-children/
(In the Philippines, reports about online child sexual exploitation may be directed to the Philippine National Police – Women and Children Protection Center at 0966-725-5961 (Globe) and 0919-777-7377 (Smart))
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