DANGERS OF ONLINE
SEXUAL ABUSE
Online sexual abuse is a serious and growing issue in the Philippines, affecting many children and adults across the country.
DANGERS
Online sexual abuse and exploitation has a significant impact on the health and well-being of children and adolescents worldwide. The impact will vary in relation to the nature, severity and duration of the abuse, developmentally in relation to the child or adolescent’s ability to understand the abuse, their coping strategies and the responses from family, friends, wider community and services. The harm caused includes the impact on physical health (such as high BMI, problems in childbirth); higher likelihood of contracting HIV due to sexual risk taking (such as having multiple sexual partners or inconsistent condom use); drug or alcohol abuse; anxiety, depression, psychological trauma and self-harm; offending behaviour, missing school and lower educational attainment. A child who is sexually abused or exploited is also at greater risk of experiencing other types of violence or abuse from adults or peers in a range of settings. Children who experience multiple victimisations tend to have the poorest outcomes. The consequences can be life long and include issues with intimacy, affecting relationships with family, partners and children, and socio-economic consequences such as homelessness and unemployment.
Source: UNICEF
Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children in the Philippines
Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children in the Philippines Children are spending more time online than ever before. In 2021 alone, two million children in the Philippines were subjected to online sexual abuse and exploitation. Children reported that they experienced grooming and received offers of gifts or money in exchange for sexual acts. Some were threatened or blackmailed to engage in sexual acts. Due to stigma, disclosure is disproportionately low - despite various reporting channels. Only 0-4 per cent of victims ever reported, and only 0-3 per cent know how to report to the police or to helplines. 44 per cent of children do not know where to get help if they or a friend were subjected to sexual abuse or harassment online. 50% of them added people as friends on social media even if they had never met face-to-face. 13 per cent of these children eventually met their new online friends in person.
Source: UNICEF