(**Agency**) MANILA, Philippines — As many as 2 million Filipino children may have been subjected to online sexual abuse and exploitation last year, according to a new report.
The estimate represents a scaled size of the Philippines’ population, based on the findings of “Disrupting Harm in the Philippines,” a report prepared by global network ECPAT, Interpol (International Criminal Police Organization) and the Italy-based Unicef Office of Research-Innocenti.
“[I]n the past year alone, 20% of internet-using children aged 12-17 in the Philippines were victims of grave instances of online sexual exploitation and abuse. This includes being blackmailed to engage in sexual activities, someone sharing their sexual images without permission, or being coerced to engage in sexual activities through promises of money or gifts,” the report read.
This can mean that “two million children…were subjected to any of these harms in just one year”, based on the report’s estimates.
The findings are based on a nationally-representative household survey, where interviews were conducted in person with 950 children aged 12-17 who use the internet, and a parent or caregiver of each minor. .. Read More
