National Study on Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children in the Philippines Cover photograph: © UNICEF Philippines/2019/SNoorani Design and layout: Beetlebugs Communications, Inc. © UNICEF Philippines 2020 Any part of this document may be freely reproduced with appropriate acknowledgement. National Study on Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children in the Philippines Proponents: Dr. Maria Caridad H. Tarroja Prof. Ma. Angeles G. Lapeña Dr. Ethel C. Ong Dr. Ron R. Resurreccion Dr. Ma. Divina Gracia Z. Roldan CONTENTS I Contents Acknowledgement ................................................................................................................................iv Message .................................................................................................................................................v List of Acronyms ..................................................................................................................................vii Defi nition of Terms .............................................................................................................................viii Executive Summary ............................................................................................................................xii Introduction ............................................................................................................................................1 Research Objectives ........................................................................................................................2 Research Questions .........................................................................................................................2 Review of Related Literature ..........................................................................................................4 Framework ..................................................................................................................................... 14 Research Methodolgy ..........................................................................................................................16 Qualitative Research .....................................................................................................................16 Respondents ..................................................................................................................................17 Data Gathering Procedure ............................................................................................................ 19 Addressing Ethical Considerations ..............................................................................................20 Data Analysis Strategies ...............................................................................................................20 Validation and Peer Review Process ............................................................................................21 Key Findings .........................................................................................................................................22 Landscape of OSAEC in the Philippines ......................................................................................23 Awareness and Perception of OSAEC in the Philippines ....................................................23 Perception of the Extent of OSAEC in the Philippines .........................................................24 Different Technology Modalities that have Facilitated OSAEC ...........................................26 Child Victims ..................................................................................................................................28 Profi le and Characteristics of Children .................................................................................28 Experience of Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children .....................................29 Accessing the Internet, ICT, and Social Media ......................................................................34 Gadgets and the web demystifi ed and motivations for engaging in OSAEC ....................36 Impact of OSAEC Experience on Child Victims ....................................................................37 Resiliency in the face of OSAEC: Picking up the pieces .......................................................50 Role of the Family in the Promotion of OSAEC ....................................................................52 Role of the Community in the Promotion of OSAEC ...........................................................53 Role of Family in the Prevention of OSAEC ..........................................................................53 Role of Community in the Prevention of OSAEC .................................................................53 National Study on Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children in the Philippines II CONTENTS Sociocultural environment by which OSAEC occurs in the Philippines ............................55 Child Protection Services in the Place that Give Assistance ...............................................56 Advocacy .................................................................................................................................59 Psychoeducation and prevention through coordination with schools ...............................59 Coordination with Local Agencies ........................................................................................60 Empowering Families and Communities ..............................................................................60 Faith-based Organization Services ........................................................................................61 Research Dissemination and Policy ......................................................................................62 Offenders .......................................................................................................................................62 Profi le of Offenders .................................................................................................................62 Some Insights on Offenders ..................................................................................................64 Experiences of Offenders and Their Previous Criminal Activities ......................................65 Motivations of Offenders .......................................................................................................66 Sense of Culpability of Offenders ..........................................................................................66 Access of Offenders to Child Victims ....................................................................................68 Grooming the Victims ............................................................................................................70 Mechanics of Offenders’ Operations .....................................................................................71 Private Sector ................................................................................................................................ 76 Role of the Private Sector in Promoting OSAEC ..................................................................77 Role of the Private Sector in the Prevention of OSAEC .......................................................79 Case Resolution and Management ..............................................................................................81 Laws, Guidelines, and Regulations Protecting Children against OSAEC ...........................87 Child Protection Policies .........................................................................................................90 Gaps and Weaknesses in the Legal Framework ...................................................................92 Stakeholders in Addressing OSAEC-Related Problems ......................................................98 Efforts of the Different Stakeholders to Address OSAEC ..................................................102 Identifi ed Gaps and Challenges in Responding to OSAEC ............................................... 106 Summary and Conclusion ................................................................................................................ 117 Understanding the OSAEC Phenomenon: A Systemic and Integrated Approach .................117 Summary of Key Points: The OSAEC Phenomenon ..................................................................119 Recommendations .............................................................................................................................122 Three-phase Integrated and Systemic Response .....................................................................123 Prevention Phase .........................................................................................................................124 Identifi cation ................................................................................................................................127 Response Phase ..........................................................................................................................128 Challenges and Limitations of the Study ..................................................................................134 Research Team Members ..................................................................................................................135 References ..........................................................................................................................................138