Sexual exploitation and abuse of children online in the Philippines: A review of online news and articles

ABSTRACT

@#<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>BACKGROUND:</strong> Advances in information and communication technologies facilitate opportunities for sexual exploitation and abuse of children online (SEACO). Despite the presence of laws against child pornography, trafficking, and cybercrime, the Philippines has become known as a key hub of the billion-dollar global child cybersex industry.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>OBJECTIVE:</b> The objective of this study was to provide insight on SEACO in the Philippines.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>METHODS:</strong> The methodology consisted of a review of readily available news articles and reports. The search term "Philippines cybersex" was used in Advanced Search in Google News (https://news.google.com.ph) for English language reports from 1995 to 2015 to describe the geographic distribution of media reported cases of SEACO, the profile of victims and offenders, and how offenders and victims became involved in SEACO.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>RESULTS:</b> The review found 55 reports and articles from 2011 to 2015. Cases were reported from 9 regions in the country with victims ranging from 18 months to 17 years in age. Three types of SEACO were identified: live streaming of child sexual abuse, child sexual abuse material (child pornography), and sextortion using minors.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>CONCLUSION:</strong> Cases of SEACO were found to be present throughout the country. National policies and preventive measures are needed to stem this crime.</p>