IT’S NOT just the rising cases of teen pregnancies that must be addressed. There’s another related problem rearing its ugly head – the online sexual abuse of children.
More children are at risk from online sexual abuse and exploitation amid the COVID-19 pandemic as families resort to easy money due to deepening poverty, while children are still not allowed to leave homes.
In fact, the situation has become alarming that the recent observance of Safer Internet Day for Children in the Philippines adopted as theme “Bagong Normal: Ligtas na Internet for All”. It was a call on public and private stakeholders to join the campaign in making the internet a safer and better place, especially for children and young people.
The pandemic is no longer just a health crisis but a child rights crisis that must be addressed with urgency. Online sexual abuse and exploitation of children is a silent pandemic that has permanent and devastating effects on children’s mental health and psychosocial well-being. Local government units, schools and communities must strengthen protective and legal services to ensure that children are safe.
Cases of online sexual abuse and exploitation of children increased by 264.6 percent or 202,605 more during the imposition of the enhanced community quarantine from March to May 2020, compared to the 76,561 cases during the same period in 2019, according to the Department of Justice, citing data from the US-based National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children.
Acknowledging the problem, Malacañang itself recently called for the strengthening of the campaign against online sexual abuse and exploitation of children by monitoring the strict implementation of Republic Act 9775 or the Anti-Child Pornography Act of 2009.
But raising awareness on protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation is most important. Parents, guardians and other relatives must understand that they have the responsibility to meet the needs of children, and to protect them from any form of abuse.
Adults who are taking care of children should provide the necessary support and guidance to help protect the young, particularly now that they are increasingly going online because of the pandemic.
