Traumata caused by Online Child Sexual Exploitation in the Philippines
Year:
October 2019 to April 2020
Client:
European Journalism Center, Netherlands; Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, U.S.A.
Project description:
Webcam Child Sex Tourism (WCST) is a growing, relatively new crime. Highest numbers of cases have been found in the Philippines, Cambodia and Indonesia – most likely because of these countries cheap and easy access to the internet, even for the many poor ones. According to the Walk Free’s Foundation „Global Slavery Index“ one in 130 persons are estimated to be trapped in WCST in the Philippines. Reports of online child sex exploitation have been increasing from year to year, says the International Justice Mission (IJM) of the Southeast-ASEAN country.
Cybersex abusers tend to recruit the children age 1 to 12 through existing relationships – through the parents of the child, their siblings or relatives. Poverty stays the main trigger for committing such a horrible crime. In the Philippines according to the Asian Development Bank (ADB) nearly 25 percent of the population lives below the poverty line – meaning are living on less than 2 USD per day.
Main project features:
Identification of the scope of traumata victims of Online Child sexual Exploitation are suffering from; Analysis of rehabilitation approaches being undertaken by public and private stakeholders.
Activities performed:
- Conducted interviews with national and international stakeholders on Online Child Sexual Exploitation and health related issues of victims
- Reviewed relevant literature on OSEC
- Published articles in peer reviewed journals
