B E H I N D T H E S C R E E N INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH CONFERENCE ON ONLINE SEXUAL ABUSE AND EXPLOITATION OF CHILDREN
Theme: Bridging research and practice to inform OSAEC prevention, protection, and prosecution
World Hope International - Philippines Room 302 PDI Condominium, Archbishop Reyes Ave. Banilad, Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines 6000 philippines@worldhope.org | WorldHope.org
ON-SITE: Eastwood Richmonde Hotel, Manila, Philippines ONLINE: Zoom
ABOUT THE CO-PRESENTERS The Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI) is the world’s largest network on research on violence against women and violence against children, providing a space where global role players in the field connect with one another, share and promote their research, work to influence policies and improve the lives of those who have experienced genderbased violence. SVRI does this through funding research, strengthening research capacity, promoting partnerships and influencing change.
The Salvation Army is a Christian organization and part of the universal Christian Church. Its message and the lifestyle it advocates are based on the Bible's teaching. Its work is to make known the good news about Jesus Christ and to persuade people to become his followers. Everything The Salvation Army does is rooted in the faith of its members. The confidence Salvationists have in a loving and caring God finds outward expression in their love for humanity and their practical response to human need.
World Vision’s Project Against Child Exploitation (Project ACE) was launched to strengthen the capacity of the Philippine government to address Worst Forms of Child Labor (WFCL) including Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC), and Violations of Acceptable Conditions of Work (ACW). It spreads over Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao but with strong emphasis in Quezon City and Cagayan De Oro City. Funding is provided by the United States Department of Labor under cooperative agreement number IL 34007-19-75-K. 100 percent of the total costs of the project in the Philippines is financed with federal funds. This material does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the United States Dept of Labor, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the United States Government.
PLDT Home is the leading broadband and digital services provider in the Philippines. For five years now, it has been named the Philippines’ fastest broadband at the Ookla® Speedtest™ Awards. It is strongly committed to deliver undisputable speeds and safe connection to every Filipino household by putting customer’s safety at the forefront of all products and services offered.
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) shall be the primary policy, planning, coordinating, implementing, and administrative entity of the Executive Branch of the government that will plan, develop and promote the national ICT development agenda. (RA 10844) DICT aspires for the Philippines to develop and flourish through innovation and constant development of ICT in the pursuit of a progressive, safe, secured, contented and happy Filipino nation.
ABOUT THE CONFERENCE ABOUT THE CONFERENCE Theme: Bridging research and practice to inform OSAEC prevention, protection, and prosecution. Digital technology ushered in great advances in society, but it also introduced new threats and crimes that prey upon vulnerable children. Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) is an emerging phenomenon that rapidly increased over recent years with the Philippines being the global epicenter since 2016. The prevailing psychosocial and economic risks, compounded by increased online activities, are driving more children into harm in cyberspace. This worsening situation for children calls for society to comprehensively understand the phenomenon and take action through the lens of scientific findings. The Behind the Screen: International Research Conference on Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children is the first academic research conference in the country focusing on OSAEC. The conference will bring together researchers and practitioners from different disciplines to share their findings on prevention, protection, and prosecution practices. With data-driven information, key stakeholders will be empowered to advocate for program and policy changes based on empirical data to secure a safer future for vulnerable children.
ABOUT THE ORGANIZER World Hope International (WHI) is a Christian relief and development organization working with vulnerable and exploited communities to alleviate poverty, suffering, and injustice. In the Philippines, WHI has been implementing the Protecting At Risk Children Vulnerable to Exploitation (PAVE) Project which aims to strengthen systems for the comprehensive care of OSAEC survivors through prevention and response in local communities; capacity building for aftercare service providers; mental health support for OSAEC survivors; reintegration assistance for OSAEC survivors and their families; and research studies in partnership with academic institutions to shed more light on the OSAEC phenomenon.
ABOUT THE PARTNERS
MESSAGE
Established in 1979, the Social Development Research Center (SDRC) is committed to the highest standards of research and training, in furtherance of De La Salle University-Manila’s mission to advance learning and knowledge use. SDRC conducts research on issues responsive to the changing needs of society. It disseminates its findings to the academic and larger community for advocacy and capacity building.
The National Association for Social Work Education, Inc. (NASWEI) is the national umbrella organization of social work schools and educators in the Philippines. It unites all social work schools in the Philippines in an organized effort to further its goal of promoting social work education that is transformative and relevant to the times.
The UP Junior Social Workers' Association of the Philippines (UP JSWAP) is an academic organization that is dedicated to the pursuit of honor and excellence in the field of Social Work. It envisions empowered and unified students in enhancing the full potential of each individual member in the development of their professional competence in Social Work Practice.
The Center for the Prevention & Treatment of Child Sexual Abuse (CPTCSA) is a non-profit, non-government child focused institution working towards a safe world for children free from sexual abuse and exploitation. Their services are advocacy to build protective policies and laws, prevention to build safe communities, treatment to counsel victims and families as well as young offenders, and research and training to build the social work profession.
Break the Silence National Network (BTSNN) is a movement of non-government organizations, government agencies, faith-based groups, people’s organizations, children’s groups and individual advocates in the Philippines whose aim is to put the sensitive issue of child sexual abuse and exploitation out in the open, thus “Breaking the Silence” on child sexual abuse and exploitation. The network addresses the problem by enhancing cooperation between the civil society organizations and government line agencies like the police, social welfare offices and schools, promoting both prevention and management of cases of child sexual abuse and exploitation.
The Child Rights Network (CRN) is the largest alliance of non-government organizations, people’s organizations, government agencies and international organizations working for the promotion and protection of children’s rights through legislative reform. CRN led the campaign to help shut down Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (OCSEA) through legislative change which has culminated in the enactment of Republic Act No. 11930 or the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) Law, which lapsed into law last July 30. The campaign was led by three CRN member-organizations: ChildFund, Plan International, and UNICEF.
Welcome to Behind the Screen! We are so happy you are here. Ever since 2015, when World Hope International first engaged in learning about and opposing Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC), we dreamed of making an impact, and always in partnership with others. We worked with partners as we learned more together about OSAEC and then set out on a long process to do something meaningful to address it. What started as a factfinding mission with a few partners, led to numerous survivors cared for, curricula drafted, many caregiving staff trained on best practices, social workers trained on therapeutic care for survivors, and groundbreaking research underway to understand aspects of OSAEC’s traumatic impact and promising treatments. Today, the convening of all of you, which represents partnership that has exponentially grown from 2015, is a dream come true. The force for good that is embodied by each of you, who are engaged in learning about and opposing this type of modern-day slavery, is incredibly encouraging. I hope that you learn much, have meaningful engagement with others and go away with increased levels of hope, new relationships and increased knowledge enabling you to better oppose OSAEC. Thank you for joining us at Behind the Screen!
Haley Clark
Director of Anti-Trafficking and Gender Based Violence , WHI
MESSAGE
MESSAGE
New digital technologies have the capacity and power to change people’s lives for better, but also for worse. With adequate resources, they can be used for instance as an equalizer in the education of children, particularly in the Global South. But in recent years, we have seen the eruption of technology facilitated gender-based violence and violence against children. As warned by UNICEF in 2020 at the beginning of the Covid – 19 global crisis, children all over the world have been at increased risk of harm as their lives moved online. The WHI conference could not be more timeous. As we start to understand better the impact of this new form of violence on children and how to better respond to the needs of survivors, we have much to learn from the pioneer work being done by WHI – one of the Sexual Violence Research Initiative 2021 grantees - and partners in the Philippines, one of the countries at the epicenter of online violence in the Asia region. The discussions and recommendations from the Behind the Screen conference will contribute to building evidence globally in this still uncharted field and - most importantly – build the bridge between research and practice.
World Vision is honored to be part of Behind the Screen: International Research Conference on Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) in collaboration with World Hope International (WHI). We are pleased to be partnering with WHI on such an important event that will bring together researchers from around the nation to present findings, share results, and offer recommendations related to this pressing issue. With the world being digital, we keep in mind the safety of our children online. The internet has opened many doors in terms of convenience and opportunities, but it has also led to different dangers - especially for children who are more vulnerable than any other sector in society. Predators, illegal sites, and inappropriate content are only some of the risks children face when browsing the web. This event will be highly impactful as it will provide a platform for thought leaders in the field to collaborate and advance our collective understanding of OSAEC. At World Vision in the Philippines, we work to address various issues faced by children through strategic partnerships and awareness-raising in communities, among many other approaches. We believe that it is through continuous collaboration that we will be able to push forward advocacies that will truly improve the lives of all children. Through Project Against Child Exploitation or Project ACE, we continue to empower communities to address the worst forms of child labor including OSAEC. One of our goals is to strengthen key government agencies and collaborate with child-focused organizations, particularly in supporting data-driven policies, so that we can have a strong force in creating change and hopefully, inspiring others to do the same. I am looking forward to hearing all the researchers so we can also learn from their works and hopefully collaborate on strengthening mechanisms against worst forms of child labor including OSAEC. We pray that our shared values will lead to a safer, healthier, and child-friendly nation. And together, may we achieve hope, joy and justice for all children. Thank you and God bless you.
Angelica Pino
Grants Manager and Capacity Strengthening Specialist, SVRI
CONFERENCE PROGRAMME
CONFERENCE PROGRAMME
Day 1: November 8, 2022 (Tuesday)
Day 1: November 8, 2022 (Tuesday)
08:00 AM
Registration & Conference Guidelines
08:20 AM
Opening Ceremonies
08:45 AM
Welcome Address
09:00 AM
Keynote Address Strengthening anti-OSAEC initiatives in the Philippines Senator Risa Hontiveros
Jocelle Batapa-Sigue | Undersecretary | Department of Information and Communications Technology
PREVENTION CLUSTER 09:15 AM
Keynote Address:
09:30 AM
Morning Break and Energizer
09:45 AM
The Factors Affecting the Prevalence of Online Sexual Exploitation of Children in Camarines Sur, Philippines Ma. Vida Teresa O. Sales, PhD & Russ Daniel O. Baldoza, RSW, MSSW | Bicol University
10:00 AM
10:15 AM
10:30 AM
10:45 AM
Community Perspectives on Online Sexual Exploitation of Children: A Study Examining Existing Knowledge and Awareness in Select Areas in the Philippines Alberto C. Marin & Raji J. Alvarado | World Vision Philippines
Keynote Address
01:30 PM
Developing a Remote Counseling Treatment Manual for OSAEC Survivors: Pandemic Driven Research Maria Caridad H. Tarroja, PhD | De La Salle University
01:45 PM
Mental Health Profile and Impact of Trauma Interventions among OSAEC Survivors Adesty Dulawan-Ting, RPsy | World Hope International
02:00 PM
Review of Therapeutic Care for Survivors of Online Sexual Exploitation in the Philippines
Facilitating Healing and Recovery of OSAEC Survivors Haley Clark | World Hope International
Mary Angeline A. Daganzo, PhD & Kimberly Kaye C. Mata, Ms, RPm, RPsy | De La Salle University - Social Development Research Center
02:15 PM
Open Forum
02:45 PM
Health Break
03:15 PM
Role of Local Self-Governments in Prevention of Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children: A Case from Rural Haryana, India Ankit | University of Wroclaw, Poland
Lived Experiences of Care Providers in Residential Facilities Handling OSEC Survivors during the Pandemic Dean Rosario Sequitin | University of Southern Philippines Foundation
03:30 PM
First findings from a study of the pathways to the facilitation of Online Sexual Exploitation and Abuse of Children (OSEAC) in the Philippines Maggie Brennan | Dublin City University Melvin Jabar | De La Salle University - Social Development Research Center
Lived Experiences of Non-perpetrating Family Members of OSEC Survivors during the COVID-19 Pandemic Dr. Philip Joel Macugay | University of Southern Philippines Foundation
03:45 PM
Experiences of Female Adolescents on Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation during Community Quarantine in Davao City Maria Teresa Dela Rosa, MSSW, RSSW & Shaira S. Udin | Ateneo de Davao University – College of Social Work
Online Intimate Partner Violence among Teens and Young People in Nepal Preeti Maharjan | ChildSafeNet - Nepal
Open Forum
11:30 AM
Roundtable Discussion: From Research to Prevention Grace Esteban (BTSNN), Dr. Philip Macugay (USPF), & Jurita Olvido (CSWDO-Taguig)
01:00 PM
01:15 PM
Empowering families and communities against OSAEC Vanessa Retuerma | World Vision Philippines
11:00 AM
12:00 PM
PROTECTION CLUSTER
Lunch Break
Energizer
04:00 PM
04:15 PM 04:45 PM
Study on Intervention Strategies for the Rehabilitation and Reintegration of Child Victims / Survivors of Online Sexual Abuse & Exploitation in the Philippines Vimala Crispin, Atty. Marie Michelle Quezon & Faye Alma Balanon | UNICEF, Child Frontiers and PST CRRC
Open Forum Day 1 Synthesis & Wrap-Up
CONFERENCE PROGRAMME
CONFERENCE PROGRAMME
Day 2: November 9, 2022 (Wednesday) 08:00 AM
Opening Ceremonies
08:15 AM
Welcome Address
08:30 AM
Keynote Address
Day 2: November 9, 2022 (Wednesday) PROSECUTION CLUSTER 11:00 AM
Nicholas Felix Ty | Undersecretary Department of Justice
Erwin Tulfo | Secretary Department of Social Welfare and Development
11:15 AM
PROTECTION CLUSTER 08:45 AM
09:00 AM
09:15 AM
09:30 AM
09:45 AM
10:15 AM
10:45 PM
Online Sexual Exploitation of Children Survivors’ Functioning After Reintegration Philippines Megan Scroger | Robert Wesleyan University
Key Factors that Constitute an Effective Assessment Center for OSEC Victim-Survivors in the Philippines Marie Joy Pring | Asia-Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary
Best Practices in Case Management of Child Sexual Abuse and their suitability to Online Sexual Exploitation of Children David Wilkinson & Mellanie Olano | International Justice Mission - Australia
Open Forum Roundtable Discussion: From Research to Protection Zenaida Rosales (CPTCSA), Jolene P. Van Oost (CURE Foundation), Jennie Dela Cruz (TSA), & Dr. Melvin Jabar (DLSU)
Health Break
Child Protective Prosecutions: A Strength-Based ChildCentered Approach to Assess Prosecution Results Atty. Lawrence Aritao & Pauline Labay | International Justice Mission
11:30 AM
Triangulating OSAEC in the Philippines in Time of Covid-19: Legal Reform Propositions for Positivist Justice Ebenezer R. Bonbon | De La Salle University - College of Law
11:45 AM
Open Forum
12:00 PM
Response: From Research to Prosecution Sheila Estabillo | Plan International - Child Rights Network
(OSEC) in the
Reintegrated Survivors of Online Sexual Exploitation of Children: Phenomenologizing their Regaining of Morale and Confidence Jeremaiah Opiniano & Alvin Jacob II | University of Sto. Tomas
Keynote Address The New OSAEC Law Atty. Marie Michelle Muñoz | Child Rights Network
12:15 PM
Lunch Break
01:15 PM
Energizer
01:30 PM
Keynote Address Utilizing Sexual Violence Research in Practice Angelica Pino | Sexual Violence Research Initiative
01:45 PM
Plenary
02:45 PM
Health Break
03:00 PM
Project Launch OSEC Prevention and Protection in Luzon and Visayas in the Covid-19 Context
04:00 PM
Closing Remarks Talmage Payne | World Hope International
04:15 PM
Conference Evaluation
PROGRAM SPEAKERS WELCOME ADDRESS - DAY 1 Jocelle Batapa - Sigue
Undersecretary Department of Information and Communications Technology
WELCOME ADDRESS - DAY 2 Nicholas Felix Ty Undersecretary Department of Justice
KEYNOTE ADDRESS "Strengthening Anti-OSAEC Initiatives in the Philippines" Risa Hontiveros Senator Republic of the Philippines
"Empowering Families and Communities Against OSAEC" Vanessa Retuerma
Director of Strategy Management, Impact, and Learning
World Vision Development Foundation
CLOSING REMARKS Talmage Payne
Chief Operations Officer World Hope International
"DSWD Programs and Services for OSAEC Survivors" Erwin Tulfo
Secretary Department of Social Welfare and Development
HOST AND MODERATORS RESEARCH CONFERENCE HOST Vladheemharc Escosia, PhD
"Facilitating Healing and Recovery of OSAEC Survivors" Haley Clark
Director of Anti-Trafficking and Gender Based Violence
World Hope International
Educator | Motivational Speaker | Actor
MODERATOR Adesty Dulawan - Ting Clinical Supervisor World Hope International
MODERATOR Theresa Malazarte - Lape
Social Worker World Hope International
"The New OSAEC Law" Atty. Marie Michelle Muñoz
Child Protection Officer at UNICEF Child Rights Network
"Utilizing Sexual Violence Research in Practice" Angelica Pino
Grants Manager and Capacity Strengthening Specialist Sexual Violence Research Initiative
PANELISTS FROM RESEARCH TO PREVENTION RESPONSE
PREVENTION RESEARCH ABSTRACTS The Factors Affecting the Prevalence of Online Sexual Exploitation of Children in Camarines Sur, Philippines Tania L. Añonuevo, RSW, MSSW; Russ Daniel O. Baldoza, RSW, MSSW; Cherry M. Dycoco, RSW, MSSW; Joselynn M. Niñofranco, RSW, MSSW; Myrna A. Pereyra, RSW, MSSW; Ma. Vida Teresa O. Sales, RSW, Ph.D. and Angelo C. Uclaray, RSW, MSW Bicol University - College Of Social Sciences & Philosophy Social Work Department
Grace Esteban Managing Board (Stairway Foundation) Break The Silence National Network
Jurita Olvido Social Worker Taguig City Social Welfare and Dev't Office
Philip Joel Macugay, PhD Research Director University of Southern Philippines Foundation
FROM RESEARCH TO PROTECTION RESPONSE
Culture generally affects people's attitudes and acceptance toward using available technology. Conversely, available technology can change the culture of people who utilize it. This study attempted to determine the family and community factors and their unintentional contribution to the prevalence of Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC). This also explored the community's perception of OSAEC. Utilizing a qualitative research design, the study conducted focus group discussions and key informant interviews to gather relevant data and provide in-depth analysis from the study site. Based on thematic analysis, poor parental disciplinary practices, children's early exposure to gadgets, lack of parental regulation and unsupervised use of technology, and availability of the internet were the family factors that may contribute to the prevalence of OSAEC. In terms of community factors, the poor socio-economic conditions, limited functionality of community mechanisms and structures to protect and uphold children's rights, and limited knowledge of child's rights may have contributed to OSAEC prevalence. Lastly, the community people were aware of the reported OSAEC incidence but were not sufficiently informed about its nature. The findings imply the need for preventive strategies and measures, such as education campaigns, advocacies, and capacity-building initiatives for parents, community leaders, and other stakeholders. This would strengthen the role of the parents and leaders in upholding children's welfare, particularly in preventing online risks.
Community Perspectives on Online Sexual Exploitation of Children: A Study Examining Existing Knowledge and Awareness in Select Areas in the Philippines World Vision Development Foundation, Inc.
Zenaida Rosales Director Center for the Protection and Treatment of Child Sexual Abuse
Jolene Van Porter Van Oost Administrative Director CURE Foundation
Jennie Dela Cruz Executive Director (Bethany Children's Home) The Salvation Army - Philippines
Melvin Jabar Research Director De La Salle University Social Development Research Center
FROM RESEARCH TO PROSECUTION RESPONSE Sheila Estabillo Project Manager Safe Online Project, Plan International Child Rights Network
Online sexual exploitation of children (OSEC) is gaining considerable attention in the international sphere, with partnerships formed between countries and between non-government organizations to effectively combat OSEC (see IJM, 2020 and Terres de Hommes,2013). Such multi-country and multi-sector collaborations underscore the changing dynamics of human trafficking and the nature of response needed to combat the crime, where OSEC offenders are comfortably sitting in their homes, located oceans away from the exploited children. However, facilitation of the crime also happens within homes where facilitators are unfortunately, the child victims’ parents, relatives, or even neighbors who all occupy a significant position in the children’s circle of trust (Ramiro et al., 2019). This research focuses on the experience of select communities in the Philippines in OSEC prevention. In particular, it examines (i) the efforts of the government (from national to local) and other key stakeholders to prevent and address online sexual exploitation and identify gaps and key challenges in implementation; (ii) communities’ awareness of online sexual exploitation, including their perceptions of their role in reporting online sexual exploitation to authorities; and (iii) communities’ awareness of the existing structures and mechanisms in place to respond to and report cases of online sexual exploitation in their communities. This research covered Taguig City in Metro Manila, and Lapu-Lapu City and Cordova municipality in Cebu province and employed a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods, particularly household surveys and focus group discussions (FGDs) to map the existing knowledge of communities on OSEC and their assessment and awareness of existing community mechanisms and structures to prevent and report this crime. Overall, 611 children and 618 adults or parents participated in the survey, 179 participated in 31 focus group discussions, and 12 key informants from different line agencies mandated to address OSEC were interviewed for the research. (ii) communities’ awareness of online sexual exploitation, including their perceptions of their role in reporting online sexual exploitation to authorities; and (iii) communities’ awareness of the existing structures and mechanisms in place to respond to and report cases of online sexual exploitation in their communities. Overall, the data suggests that adults were well aware of the issue of OSEC. They mainly draw their information about OSEC from traditional media and news report on television. Also, the school was among the children’s top sources of information on OSEC, which means that the issue is already being discussed within the confines of the classroom. The findings also show that very few adults and children were aware of community-based programs and interventions that address OSEC. Children and communities are also reported to have low awareness on where they can report cases of OSEC. This research report brings specific attention to the views and understanding of children, parents, caregivers, and local-level stakeholders on the prevention of online sexual exploitation of children (OSEC). Results of this research could help to ensure that the voices of communities, especially children, are at the center of stakeholder discussions on how we can better address OSEC in the Philippines.
PREVENTION RESEARCH ABSTRACTS Role of Local Self-Governments in Prevention of Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children: A Case From Rural Haryana, India Ankit | University of Wroclaw, Poland Cross-region marriages in rural Haryana, India are those that break away from the traditional boundaries of caste, culture, language, distance, and even religion within India. These are not “love marriages” but rather “arranged” taking a woman completely away from her family, region, and cultural contexts. Women in these unions are vulnerable to constant violence and abuse and are often at the mercy of their husbands. Children of such unions are specifically targeted by their peers and other society members for their 'differentness' and 'low social value'. They are not ‘accepted’ by their own societies. For such children, online sexual abuse and exploitation in the form of name-calling, harassment, and exclusion in public spaces from their peers or other society members due to their ‘lowness’ can be life threatening. Based on qualitative fieldwork of two months and biographical narrative interviews of adult children of cross-region marriages in Mahendragarh district, this paper makes a strong case for the elected local self-governments (or Gram Panchayats) in rural Haryana to prevent the online sexual abuse and exploitation of such children. Goal 16 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) envisions peace, justice, and strong institutions to promote peaceful and inclusive societies and provide access to justice for all with end of abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children being it’s one of the targets. These rural institutions can ensure well-being and prevent violence and abuse of all children by being participatory, inclusive, and more democratic at all levels involving more such women from cross-regional families, co-operating with self-help groups of women and advocating special initiatives.
First findings from a study of the pathways to the facilitation of Online Sexual Exploitation and Abuse of Children (OSEAC) in the Philippines Brennan, Maggie; Byrnes, Elaine; Munns, Nicole; Katz-Wisel, Gabriel; Jabar, Melvin; Collado, Zaldy and Tarroja, Maria Caridad Dublin City University , Justice and Care, and De La Salle University - Social Development Research Center The Philippines has been described as the “centre of child sex abuse materials production in the world” (UNICEF, 2016) and as “the global epicentre of the live stream sexual abuse trade,” in which many victims are children (Brown, 2016; Gill, 2021). A recent study by the International Justice Mission (2020) found that the majority of OSEAC cases (87%) involved at least one female trafficker; this is a unique presentation in crimes involving sexual abuse and exploitation of children, which are most commonly perpetrated by males, and without financial transactions Nevertheless, limited research has examined the facilitation of OSEAC by Filipino nationals, which routinely features female facilitators and financial remuneration for sexual activity involving children. This substantial gap in our knowledge of OSEAC offending severely limits our ability to develop strategies and interventions for better detection, interception and prevention. Using the Ecological Model (Bronfenbrenner, 1979), this study examines OSEAC facilitation in the context of the mesosystem level of Filipino and global culture, laws and governance and experience. It seeks to understand the different individual, familial, community, social, institutional, and technological factors that motivate offenders to facilitate online sexual exploitation. Findings indicate that facilitators are predominantly trusted women adults, including mothers. Engagement in OSEAC is financially motivated and is regarded as transactional. The facilitators themselves explore potential perpetrators. There is a bi-directional dependence between facilitators and survivors. Familism plays a major role in grooming. Family dysfunction, technological lag in detection, and innovation in ICT were likewise seen as OSEAC-facilitating factors. The findings suggest the need to prioritize offender conviction, regulate financial institutions, educate children about relationships and sex education, and invest in rural areas for economic development. Overall, the findings call for the need to look at OSEAC not just as a criminal issue but also as a public health issue.
Online Intimate Partner Violence among Teens and Young People in Nepal Preeti Maharjan, Tulasha Khadka, Sneha Agrawal,Pushpa Joshi, and Anil Raghuvanshi ChildSafeNet - Jawalakhel, Lalitpur, Nepal Intimate partner violence (IPV) is the most common form of violence against women. According to a 2017 report of the Overseas Development Institute, unmarried adolescent girls were more vulnerable to IPV as romantic relationships become more common in Nepal. The objectives of this study are to assess and understand the context, practices, and behaviours of teens and young people towards IPV using digital technology and provide appropriate policy recommendations to the government and other dutybearers. A mixed method combining quantitative and qualitative data was used. The preliminary findings of 4,040 surveys (1139 children aged 16-17 years and 2901 participants aged 18-24 years), 5 in-depth interviews and 17 focus group discussions will be included here. The self-administered survey among 4,040 participants from 10 districts in Nepal found that one in four teens and young people aged 16-24 years who are in relationship or was in relationship previously has experienced at least one form of online intimate partner violence. The most prominent form of online IPV was swearing and yelling via audio/video calls (11.5%) followed by being obsessively monitoring online (11.4%), controlled access to internet (8.6%), and receiving sexual messages when you do not want to receive it (6.5%). Teenagers and young people participated have heard about online IPV, however, most of them were not aware of various forms and impact of online IPV. They connected the online IPV with emotional abuse such as blackmailing and mental health impact of online IPV. Teenagers perceive sharing password as the building block for trust in dating relationship. They are not aware of available support system and who to contact if s/he or anyone close to them experience online abuse. Recommendations: To improve policies, reporting mechanisms, and outreach activities related to online IPV To increase the capacities of service providers to respond to IPV, using a victim-centered approach To raise awareness on prevention and protection from online IPV, report cases and access services at school and community level
PROTECTION RESEARCH ABSTRACTS Developing a Remote Counseling Treatment Manual for OSAEC Survivors: Pandemic Driven Research Balajadia- Alcala, Ma. Araceli; Simon, Patricia; Tarroja, Maria Caridad and Villegas, Agnes De La Salle University The pandemic brought unique challenges for the practice of counseling in terms of delivering timely and relevant intervention to vulnerable populations who are in dire need of these. One such vulnerable group are OSAEC Survivors. This paper reports the findings from the first of 2 Phases that the author and her team undertook to develop an evidence-based remote counseling protocol for this population. Doing a thorough desk-review and Key Informant interviews, the team adopted a comprehensive framework found to be appropriate for addressing the issues and concerns of OSAEC survivors. Key findings which formed the basis for developing a comprehensive treatment manual will be outlined in the report, specifically: profile of survivors, needs and issues unique to OSAEC survivors, and evidence based interventions given the previous two.
Mental Health Profile and Impact of Trauma Interventions Among OSAEC Survivors Clark, Haley; Dulawan, Adesty; Lucena, Lyka; Macugay, Philip Joel, Sequitin, Rosario; and Tarroja, Maria Caridad World Hope International and University of the Southern Philippines Foundation The internet increasingly became a breeding ground for Online Sexual Exploitation and abuse of Children (OSAEC) with the Filipino children being one of the most at-risk globally. This study aims to describe the mental health profile of OSEC survivors during the time of the pandemic. Likewise, the study looks into the impact of some forms of interventions in reducing trauma symptoms. There were 89 OSAEC survivors in the study of which, 63 are females and 26 are males with mean age of 12. Majority of the survivors (70.79%) were perpetrated family members (immediate and relatives) while some of them were by community perpetrators(4.05%) and a few who engaged independently (.04%). The Psychological Trauma Questionnaire and Child Behavior Checklist were used to profile and assess progress of the survivors in the intervention. Findings show that the mean trauma level of the survivors (37.5) before any intervention is within the normal range and does not significantly differ across gender, age, and type of perpetrator. Comparatively, significant differences were found in some behavior scales across developmental ages with older age group (15-17) scoring the higher compared to the younger groups. Analysis of impact of the interventions showed that for the OSEC survivors in the control group, there is no significant difference in their pre-test and post-test scores rather, the trauma symptom means score increased from 30.75 to 35.81. For the OSEC survivors who received interventions the trauma score means significantly decreased from 34.12 to 23.55. Generally, OSAEC affects survivors’ mental health most dominantly on their internalized experiences. Trauma focused interventions showed promising impact in improving trauma levels as opposed to no interventions. It is recommended that developmentally appropriate mental health programs and policies be embedded in the aftercare services to facilitate recovery of survivors.
Review of Therapeutic Care for Survivors of Online Sexual Exploitation in the Philippines Daganzo, Mary Angeline; Mata, Kimberly Kaye and Tarroja, Maria Caridad De La Salle University - Social Development Research Center In studies and reports conducted on online sexual exploitation of children, among the gaps identified in existing knowledge is on the aftercare and rehabilitation services. In the Philippines, aftercare and rehabilitation services appear to be a mix of programs developed explicitly for OSEC as well as more general therapies designed for trauma. But it is not yet well documented what the different programs are and what the experiences are of the service providers during the actual implementation. This qualitative study aimed to produce a comprehensive description and a critical analysis of the aftercare and rehabilitation services. In-depth interviews were conducted with key informants from select government agencies and non-governmental organizations involved in the provision of therapeutic care in the case management of survivors of OSEC in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. A thematic analyses of the interviews showed that various programs and services are provided addressing the needs of the survivors in different aspects of their lives, including psychological, medical, educational, spiritual, and even a recreation of home life. A trauma-informed approach was commonly used and care was often tailored based on age and gender. Challenges and facilitating factors in the provision of therapeutic care were also identified. The findings are expected to have implications for continuing implementation of said programs, development of new services and programs, and further policies and laws on OSEC and wider issues on child protection and wellbeing.
PROTECTION RESEARCH ABSTRACTS
PROTECTION RESEARCH ABSTRACTS
Lived Experiences of Care Providers in Residential Facilities Handling OSEC Survivors during the Pandemic
Experiences of Female Adolescents on Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation during Community Quarantine in Davao City
Clark, Haley; Dulawan, Adesty; Lucena, Lyka; Macugay, Philip Joel and Sequitin, Rosario World Hope International and University of the Southern Philippines Foundation Little is known about the life and challenges of care providers or social workers in the residential care facilities during the pandemic. The paper explored the lifeworld of care providers or social workers handling OSEC survivors in residential care facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Qualitative phenomenological approach using in-depth interviews of 10 social workers from two different regions (Luzon and Visayas) were conducted. Using thematic analysis, several themes evolved: (a) the social workers experienced helplessness, frustration, and burnout from more workload; (b) they had improved relationships with the OSEC survivors, (c) they learned and adopted to new ways of delivering case management services, (d) they found HILOM and trauma-informed care trainings, mentoring, and coaching to be helpful, (e) they were able to observe emotional, behavioral and thought processes manifestations of the survivors, and (f) they observed that the therapeutic interventions improved the survivors interpersonal skills, emotional regulation, and academic performances. Despite the challenges and limitations brought about by the COVID-19 Pandemic, the social workers in the residential care facilities remained resilient and committed to their work for the recovery of the OSEC survivors under their care. Therapeutic interventions were effective as observed in the behavioral changes demonstrated by the OSEC survivors while in the centers.
Lived Experiences of Non-Perpetrating Family Members of OSEC Survivors during the COVID-19 Pandemic Clark, Haley; Dulawan, Adesty; Lucena, Lyka; Macugay, Philip Joel and Sequitin, Rosario World Hope International and University of the Southern Philippines Foundation Family dynamics is a vast field of study. Knowledge about family dynamics is a valuable tool for helping professionals working with families. The paper explores the family dynamics of the OSEC survivors’ families during the COVID-19 pandemic and pinpoint factors that might have some bearing on why family members got involved in OSEC. It also delves into their feelings about the OSEC phenomenon, their insights and lessons learned from their experiences during the Pandemic. It is anticipated that findings of the study will help improve interventions for the prevention and management of OSEC. Qualitative phenomenological research design was used. Ten (10) non-perpetrating family members of the OSEC survivors were interviewed using an in-depth-interview guide. The research participants came from the Luzon and Visayas regions. Thematic analysis was conducted and the following themes surfaced: (a) the Pandemic is a serious factor making children vulnerable to OSEC, (b) family is adversely affected by COVID-19 economically and socially driving them to engage in OSEC, (c) contrasting effects of OSEC on family relationship dynamics: stronger bonds versus fragile relationships and trauma, (d) betrayal by the people the child and his or her family trusted, and (e) variety of reactions of family members to the OSEC phenomenon: shock, anger, frustration and depression. The study reveals that the families were gravely affected by the Pandemic. This made them more vulnerable to OSEC. Lack of knowledge of family members and OSEC survivors about OSEC caused adverse reactions and trauma that needs to be addressed.
Balug, Juvill; Dela Rosa Maria Teresa; Lopez, Sheryl; Manapol, Melba; Marian, Erika Grace and Udin, Shaira Ateneo de Davao University – College of Social Work The study sought to describe the experiences of female adolescents, ages 15 to 17 years old as victim-survivors of Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) during community quarantine in Davao City. .The study’s design was descriptive-qualitative particularly phenomenological research. Using a purposive sampling the team interviewed eleven female adolescents, three barangay officials for key informant interviews, and conducted a focus group discussion among the identified agencies with direct services for OSAEC. The study describes poverty as the major driving factor that leads female adolescents in Davao City to engage in OSAEC. This situation was further exacerbated when COVID lockdown happened resulting to loss of jobs, limited mobility and uncertainty. As a consequence, the respondent's family had difficulty sustaining their daily needs, pushing victim-survivors to engage in OSAEC. Limited mobility, caused many of the respondents to shift to online platforms as substitute for physical communication, further raising their vulnerability to online sex predators. Respondents were introduced to OSAEC through seemingly harmless online chat groups but eventually led to pimping and matching with potential perpetrators. The chatgroups paved way to new acquaintances with experience in online sexual transactions and pushed victim-survivor to the trade in hopes of gaining financial rewards. Sexual behavior online eventually lead to physical interaction with local perpetrators. The study further revealed that barangay officials have little knowledge and capability in handling OSAEC cases. OSAEC in its many forms continue to victimize children, more so when several factors create vulnerability in them such as: naivety, peer pressure, distorted perspectives on filial obligations, minimal awareness and proactive action from duty bearers. As we strive to protect the youth from all forms of sexual abuse, there is a greater challenge in providing a holistic, multi-disciplinary and multi-sectoral action among duty bearers to further stop OSAEC.
Study on Intervention Strategies for the Rehabilitation and Reintegration of Child Victims/Survivors of Online Sexual Abuse & Exploitation in the Philippines UNICEF, Child Frontiers and PST CRRC The Philippines has emerged as a global center of online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC), with 80% of Filipino children vulnerable to online sexual abuse. According to the Disrupting Harm household survey, 20% of internet-using children aged 12 –17 were victims of grave instances of sexual exploitation and abuse in 2021. The 2017National Study on OSAEC in 2017 highlighted how the rescue, investigation and trial processes can negatively affect child victims and have a profound impact on their psychological well-being, sense of safety and control, and view of the world. The study recommended additional research be conducted to map and assess current OSAEC intervention models and services available to support child victim/ survivors. The present study builds upon existing evidence on OSEAC and triangulates these findings with the perspectives of service providers to identify strengths, weaknesses and challenges in service delivery for OSAEC victims / survivors, as well as strategies to ensure interventions deliver improved outcomes for children and their families. The methodology involved semi-structured interviews with 80 service-providers from four sub-national locations with significant number of OSAEC cases reported, and an online survey that generated 3,267 responses from frontline service-providers. The study identified several important findings and questions with significant implications for OSAEC service provision. There may be a need to reconceptualize the current approach to service provision to align with the perceptions and needs of child victim/survivors who may actively resist help or are not confident that the outcomes will be in their best interest. The current emphasis on prosecution of offenders can have important implications for children involved especially when harm occurs within the family setting. There is a critical need to facilitate prevention of problems and harm before they occur, as well as proactively engage with children, families and communities long before cases are formally reported or enter the legal system. For services, programmes and prevention strategies to be truly effective and beneficial, it will be essential to consult directly with children, young people and families who have experienced OSAEC to understand what would work best from their perspective. The study concludes with recommendations for an integrated continuum of approaches and services for OSAEC victim/survivors —from prevention, identification, reporting, rescue, trial, rehabilitation, reintegration -- with emphasis on prevention, as well as ensuring appropriate reintegration and after care support. This will require a reprioritization of existing approaches and greater collaboration among government and NGO stakeholders, as well as the private sector, to achieve more positive outcomes for children and families in the Philippines.
PROTECTION RESEARCH ABSTRACTS
PROTECTION RESEARCH ABSTRACTS
Online Sexual Exploitation of Children (OSEC) Survivors’ Functioning After Reintegration in the Philippines
Key Factors that Constitute an Effective Assessment Center for OSEC VictimSurvivors in the Philippines
Draper, Rebecca and Scroger, Megan
Chinta, Neseta; Evangelista, Isaiah; Palosa, Sarah; Pring, Marie Joy and Saraf, Shradha Asia-Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary
Robert Wesleyan University and World Hope International This research study examines the outcomes for Filipino survivors of online exploitation of children (OSEC), a form of abuse where child sexual abuse content and pornography is shared via the Internet. The Philippines is currently identified as an area where the creation and distribution of this content are prevalent ( World Hope International [WHI], 2019). Survivors of childhood sexual abuse are likely to experience adverse mental health effects, such as increased depression, anxiety, aggression, substance abuse and misuse, interpersonal difficulties, disordered eating, suicidal behavior and self-harm, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD; WHI, 2018). Currently, there is little to no empirical research available that explores the psychosocial functioning of OSEC survivors after experiencing shelter-based care and subsequent reintegration into the community. Consequently, this study aims to identify the relationship between the self-reported symptoms of trauma and psychosocial functioning among Filipino youth that have experienced OSEC. This study utilized inclusion criteria of survivors between ages 12 and 18 (and their guardian) who have received residential care for OSEC and have been subsequently reintegrated into the community for at least one year (N=48). In addition to providing demographic data, participants completed the Psychological Trauma Assessment Questionnaire (PTAQ), Youth Self-Report (YSR), and Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). The Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis, and Kendall’s Tau correlational tests were utilized for data analysis. Preliminary results suggest that the number of people and children in the household, and relationship to the perpetrator all are positively related to higher reports of OSEC survivor’s symptoms. Additionally, small to moderate positive relationships were found between survivor report of trauma symptoms on the PTAQ and internalizing problems on the YSR. Limitations and implications for future research and practice will be discussed, and potential recommendations regarding policy and supporting the needs of the OSEC survivors will be provided.
Reintegrated Survivors of Online Sexual Exploitation of Children: Phenomenologizing Their Regaining of Morale and Confidence Cayubit, Ryan Francis; Jacob, Alvin III and Opiniano, Jeremaiah University of Sto. Tomas and World Hope International Online sexual exploitation of children (OSEC) suddenly rose in the Philippines since 2020, perhaps induced by mobility restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and by heightened economic hardship. After efforts were made to rescue children and adolescent victims, survivors face challenging circumstances in their return to normal activities (i.e., reintegration). Regardless how severe their previous experiences were, these children and adolescents exert efforts to regain their morale and confidence after the OSEC experience. On that score, what does it mean for these survivors to regain their morale and confidence while returning into normalcy? This phenomenological research strives to surface the meanings ascribed to these OSE survivors’ morale and confidence. The research team implemented object-centered interviews (OCIs), asking eight OSEC survivors from the Philippines to doodle and explain what does regaining morale and confidence mean to them. A two-part instrument was employed: a robot foto (profile sheet) and an aide memoire (interview guide) that included instructions on making a doodle on morale and confidence. Apart from the eight children, their adult caretakers were also interviewed on their efforts to reintegrate survivors. Authors then employed phenomenological reduction with the aid of thematic analysis to both the doodles and the interview answers. The conduct of OCIs provided a respectful, therapeutic means to let OSEC survivors bellow out their ways to move forward.
The information on Online Sexual Exploitation of Children in the Philippines is scant, but even more scarce is the information on the aftercare for rescued children. This research was commissioned to gain knowledge on what OSEC victim-survivors go through in the aftercare continuum and to identify key factors that make an assessment center effective for them. The mixed-methods design and multi-phase approach of this study involved in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with 11 OSEC victimsurvivors and 21 service providers, as well as a survey, participated in by 128 service providers from all over the country. Aspects unique to the findings of this study is understanding OSEC from a Filipino worldview and looking at how the Filipino culture can help shape an effective assessment center. Among the findings of key factors include psychological interventions, care and guidance from center staff, activities for self-development, and adequate facilities in the center. Finally, the research found out that an effective assessment center is one that works on increasing the individual protective factors of the children. Skills deemed significant to start developing in the OSEC victim-survivors are self-mastery skills (anger management, self-control, and emotional intelligence, positive self-concept, self-compassion, a sense of personal responsibility, being future-oriented) and relational skills (ability to form positive bonds and connections, interpersonal communication, selfefficacy in conflict situations, and problem-solving). In toto, these factors that emerged from the children’s data, as well as the service providers’ data, are corroborated by studies and findings of experts on aftercare around the world. This research is the evidence that if they are heard, the OSEC victim-survivors can be empowered agents who have the ability to lead us in navigating through their journey to healing and restoration.
Best Practices in Case Management of Child Sexual Abuse and their suitability to Online Sexual Exploitation of Children David Wilkinson International Justice Mission - Australia Case management is the principal child protection approach adopted by governments around the world to organise services for children who are in need of care and protection outside the family home. It is widely adopted due to its adaptability to address a wide range of issues and it’s comprehensive nature and has been adopted in the Philippines as the primary approach to responding to child exploitation including OSEC. In light of the substantial pressure which the Philippines child protection system is facing in addressing OSEC, this systematic literature review sought to synthesize what is known about best practices in case management for child sexual abuse and how this might better inform practices with OSEC survivors. This systematic review was conducted by examining peer-reviewed journal articles and unpublished grey literature produced from January 2000 to September 2020. Nine (9) online databases were searched including UP Diliman, Philippine E-journal, Philippine E-Library, Cochrane Library, Child Abuse & Neglect Digital Library, OVID databases, PROQUEST, PubMed and SCOPUS. Key words and synonyms for “best practices”, “case management” and “child sexual abuse” were used as text strings. The conclusions of the study were three-fold. Firstly, the literature review found that there is strong support for adoption of a multidisciplinary approach, especially in identification practices. Secondly, the majority of evidence indicates that adaptation of cognitive-behavioral interventions for victim-survivors is the most effective therapeutic approach available. The gold standard in trauma intervention, TraumaFocused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TFCBT) has been highlighted as having significant potential for use with survivors of OSEC. Finally, evidence consistently identifies that the quality, timeliness and consistency of the assessment process are key moderators of the effectiveness of interventions conducted during the recovery stage.
PROSECUTION RESEARCH ABSTRACTS Child Protective Prosecutions: A Strength-Based Child-Centered Approach to Assess Prosecution Results Aritao, Lawrence and Labay, Pauline International Justice Mission A strength-based, child-centered approach to assessing conviction results. Successful prosecution forms part of an effective response to online sexual exploitation of children. When prosecutions involve child victims, the conviction of the accused is one aspect of success; the other is found in the duty of care exercised to prevent re-traumatization of child victims. The organization submits that successful prosecutions achieve criminal convictions in a child-protective and trauma-informed manner. This Study provides a method to rapidly assess convictions using two legal standards in criminal cases involving child victims: the burden of proof and the duty of care. The methodology takes existing standards for conviction (proof beyond reasonable doubt) and child protection (the best interests of the child), and maps them against case results through three questions: 1. Was conviction achieved without child testimony? 2. Were child protective measures used? 3. In cases where children were presented, is there data showing that they felt protected? This Study uses a strength-based approach, meaning results are assessed from the baseline of a Positive result: a conviction is achieved. Above Positive is Strong: a conviction is achieved with child protective measures. Finally, Strongest: a conviction is achieved independent of child participation or, a conviction validated by the survivor as child-protective. The study reviews eight Philippine cases, resulting in five Strongest results, two Strong, and one Positive. Child protection measures cited in seven cases included electronically recorded testimony, use of digital evidence, and plea agreements. Records also showed multiple agencies contributed to these child-protective measures. This Study concludes with the importance of trauma-informed prosecutions in survivor care.
Triangulating OSAEC in the Philippines in Time of Covid-19: Legal Reform Propositions for Positivist Justice Bonbon, Ebenezer; Interino, Hanna Leila; Ma, Andrea Mieko; Amante, Leah Angela; Factor, Charles Smith and Reyes, Deo Maxwell De La Salle University - College of Law Online Sexual Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) is an emerging complex crime that changed the entire scenario of policing and rendering of criminal justice as it primarily targeted the most vulnerable members of Philippine society –minors while evading the rule of law. Cases increased by 264.6 percent during the COVID-19 pandemic (Department of Justice, 2020). The research utilized a mixed-method analysis, through document review, focus interviews/group discussions with key government stakeholders (executive, legislative, judiciary, constitutional bodies), a respected lawyer-specialist in Persons and Family Relations Law, and various social workers who managed OSAEC survivors. Distinctively employing a multi-lens approach, our justice system's classical vis-a-vis positivist approach was triangulated and politically mapped. The rights of the child, families, and mothers who were first-time offenders and persons deprived of liberty (PDL) were discussed. These immediate family members, as principals by direct participation in the consummation of the crime, were also assessed as secondary victims, by the current system that forced them under duress to engage in this crime, attributed further to widespread poverty and cultural norms that uphold prioritizing family over one’s own well-being. Alternative solutions were presented based on identified social determinants such as • Mandatory learning and development interventions; • Institutionalizing Restorative and Rehabilitative Legal Policy Strategies for “first-time offenders”core family members (e.g., probation, prison leave, and utilizing technology under house arrest with limited mobility with a PDL monitoring system and anklet device) to ensure economic productivity for the needs of the family that will be left behind, while ensuring that the children are protected throughout the conviction; • Passage of a New Criminal Code of the Philippines.