National Study on Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children in the Philippines A qualitative study with key findings and recommendations on how to protect children and address OSAEC in the Philippines
File Type
Project Document
Publication Date
2021
Description
The National Study on Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children in the Philippines examined the nature and scope of online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC), including its causes, drivers, contributing factors, and the processes involved in the exposure, rescue, case resolution, and recovery of child victim-survivors. The study focused on four main areas: child victims, offenders, the private sector, and case resolution and management. It employed a qualitative research design involving key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and document review. Twenty-two OSAEC cases from four regions were purposively selected. Overall, the research produced 149 transcripts from 133 key informant interviews and 16 focus group discussions, which were coded and analyzed thematically using NVivo.
The findings demonstrate that OSAEC is a complex phenomenon requiring a coordinated and multidisciplinary response. Factors that contribute to children’s vulnerability include widespread internet and mobile-phone access, insufficient digital literacy among children and parents, online payment facilities, economic hardship, and cultural beliefs that normalize or minimize exploitation. The study also found that rescue, investigation, court proceedings, and family separation may intensify the psychological distress experienced by child victims. Civil society organizations play an important role in addressing gaps in government services and supporting children’s rehabilitation and reintegration.
The study recommends an integrated national framework covering prevention, identification, reporting, rescue, prosecution, aftercare, and reintegration. It also calls for child-sensitive protocols, psychosocial services, family and community interventions, continuous capacity building for service providers, harmonized case-management procedures, stronger inter-agency coordination, and a centralized database for monitoring OSAEC cases.
About the Project
The National Study on Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children in the Philippines was conducted by the Social Development Research Center of De La Salle University with funding from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). The research team was led by Project Director Dr. Maria Caridad H. Tarroja, together with Co-Investigators Ma. Divina Gracia Z. Roldan, Ma. Angeles G. Lapeña, Ron R. Resurreccion, and Ethel C. Ong. The study generated evidence and recommendations to strengthen the prevention of OSAEC and improve the protection, recovery, and reintegration of child victim-survivors.
Recommended Citation
Department of Social Welfare and Development–Inter-Agency Council Against Child Pornography, & UNICEF Philippines. (2021). National study on online sexual abuse and exploitation of children in the Philippines. https://www.unicef.org/philippines/media/2711/file/uniph-2021-nationalstudyosaec-fullreport.pdf
