CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in northern Mindanao is ramping up its effort to address Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) through enhanced coordination with law enforcement agencies, local government units, and non-government organizations. This effort aims to provide immediate protection, rehabilitation, and long-term support for victims while raising public awareness about the growing issue.
Honey Grace P. Mendoza, lead secretariat of the Regional Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Trafficking and Violence Against Women and their Children (RIACAT-VAWC), said the agency works with the Philippine National Police, National Bureau of Investigation, and other law enforcement bodies to ensure timely action in OSAEC cases.
Once children are rescued, DSWD social workers manage their cases and provide interventions. High-risk children are referred to residential care facilities for further support. These facilities offer services such as therapy, education, and legal assistance.
“Naay mga operations nga upon assessment kini nga mga clients high risk, so there is a need sa atong mga assessors sa residential care facilities, so they will be referred, then they will be provided with appropriate nga mga intervention para sa ilaha nga matabangan sila in the process of dealing not only on that part but also sa legal proceedings, ma ubanan pud sila sa atong social workers,” she said.
(There are operations where, upon assessment, some of the clients are found to be high-risk. In such cases, our assessors from residential care facilities are needed. These clients are then referred and provided with appropriate interventions to help them not only with their recovery but also with legal proceedings, where they are accompanied by our social workers.)
DSWD also works with the Department of Justice to help protect the legal rights of victims.
As part of its preventive measures, DSWD is raising awareness of OSAEC, particularly as cases are increasingly reported in both urban and rural areas. “We conduct campaigns in schools, communities, and with parents to educate them about the signs of OSAEC and how to prevent it,” Mendoza said.
The agency also uses social media and distributes educational materials to expand its reach.
Through these efforts, DSWD continues to provide care and legal support to victims while promoting prevention through education and coordination. (JMOR/PIA-10)
