The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has released a human rights situation report highlighting the alarming rise of online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC) in the Philippines, along with urgent recommendations to address this growing crisis.

The report, published by CHR’s Child Rights Center on 11 February 2025, documents a dramatic surge in OSAEC cases, particularly following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2019, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) recorded 426,000 cyber tipline reports. This figure nearly tripled in 2020 to 1,297,000 cases, and continued to escalate in 2023, with 2,740,905 reported incidents. [1]

According to the report, economic vulnerability—particularly poverty—remains a primary driver of OSAEC, with many cases involving perpetrators who are family members or close relatives. The trauma caused by abuse, compounded by fear, shame, and the emotional toll of legal proceedings, often deters child victims from seeking help or pursuing justice.

As a State Party to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), the Philippines is bound by international obligations to ensure that every child is protected, respected, and supported. This duty is further reinforced by the Optional Protocol on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution, and Child Pornography, which mandates comprehensive support for child victims—including medical, psychological, and financial assistance—as well as the imposition of strict penalties on offenders.

Domestically, Republic Act No. 11930, or the Anti-OSAEC Law, affirms the State’s obligation to protect children from all forms of online sexual exploitation and abuse, particularly those perpetrated through digital platforms and Information and Communications Technology (ICT).

Despite these legal protections, significant challenges persist. The report notes gaps in child-sensitive handling of OSAEC cases—from reporting mechanisms and rescue operations to rehabilitation and reintegration efforts. These gaps not only worsen the trauma experienced by child victims, but also contribute to continued underreporting, particularly in cases where parents are the perpetrators.

In response, the CHR calls on the government and all concerned institutions to uphold the principle of the best interests of the child as a paramount consideration in all proceedings involving children [2]. Rescue and rehabilitation efforts must adopt a child-sensitive and trauma-informed approach, ensuring sufficient resources for psychosocial recovery and long-term support. The Commission also underscores the importance of providing appropriate psychological and financial interventions not only to affected children but also to family members who may have committed abuse—acknowledging the need for comprehensive rehabilitation to break cycles of exploitation.

To prevent re-traumatization during legal proceedings, the CHR also recommends the use of pre-recorded testimonies in place of repeated in-person recounting of abuse.

To strengthen protection measures, the CHR recommends sustained OSAEC awareness campaigns; poverty alleviation and livelihood programs for vulnerable communities; stronger collaboration with internet service providers to detect and disrupt exploitation activities; the promotion of offline and community-based recreational activities for children; and enhanced oversight and accountability mechanisms through the Congressional Oversight Committee.

As the Philippines’ national human rights institution, the CHR remains steadfast in its commitment to uphold and advance the rights of every Filipino child. Addressing OSAEC requires a whole-of-society response. We call on government agencies, civil society, the private sector, and local communities to work together to build a digital environment where children are safe, valued, and empowered.

***
[1] IJM supports Philippine president’s directive to combat online sexual exploitation of children, https://www.ijmuk.org/stories/ijm-supports-philippine-presidents-directive-to-combat-online-sexual-exploitation-of-children, accessed April 8, 2025.

[2] Article 21, United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child https://chr2bucket.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/26113916/Human-Rights-Situation-Report-Addressing-Online-Sexual-Abuse-and-Exploitation-of-Children-in-the-Philippines-CHR-VI-No-POL2025-005.pdf