CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)– “Mere possession of child pornographic materials is already violative of children’s rights.
This was the gist of the lecture on online sexual exploitation of children (OSAEC) given by Prosecutor Ruby Malanog and organized by Gender Advocates Normin, Inc. (GANI), on Friday, Dec. 1.
Malanog emphasized the seriousness of possessing pornographic material and highlighted that presenting or portraying a person as a child could be considered a case of child exploitation.
She further delved into the intricate details of OSAEC, emphasizing its broad definition encompassing the use of information and communications technology (ICT) to sexually exploit children.
The production, distribution, and ownership of child sexual abuse material (CSAEM), online grooming, sexual extortion, commercial sexual exploitation, and live broadcasting of sexual abuse are all included in this category, Malanog said. It also includes incidents where offline child abuse is mixed with an online component.
Malanog also clarified the terms ICT and CSAEM, highlighting their crucial roles in understanding the complexities of OSAEC.
The lecture extended to the legal framework, discussing Section 4 of the Safe Spaces Act (RA 11313), which deems it unlawful for any person to commit acts related to OSAEC and CSAEM, regardless of the child’s consent.
Image-Based Sexual Abuse, a form of technology-facilitated sexual violence, was also elucidated, encompassing diverse behaviors like “sextortion scams,” deepfake creation, and threats to distribute explicit content.
The lecture served as a critical step towards empowering participants with knowledge and insights to actively contribute to the prevention and elimination of these pressing societal issues.
To further foster a community committed to creating a safer, more informed, and more responsible society, the gender advocates in the region will also hold a three-day orientation on the laws for guidance counselors and designated guidance counselors in elementary and high school.
There will also be an IEC distribution of VAW-related information to the airport and ports, an orientation on the laws to the punong barangay, the Barangay Council for the Protection of Children, and the barangay Violence Against Women and Children desk in five provinces with high cases, and a Talakayan sa PIA media forum. (RTP, edited by RLRB, PIA-10)
The Gender Advocates Normin, Inc. conducted a comprehensive lecture to raise awareness and foster a profound understanding of the societal challenges posed by online sexual exploitation of children, child marriage, and statutory rape on December 1, 2023, at the Alcoseba Hall, 4ID, Patag, Cagayan de Oro City. (Photo: RTP/PIA-10)
