The Davao City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) has urged victims of online sexual abuse to come forward and seek help from authorities.

CSWDO said it will strengthen its education and information drive about human trafficking following the rise of online sexual abuse cases in the country.

In 2019, the Department of Justice (DOJ) received over 418,000 cyber tips on online sexual abuse involving children in the country through online sharing, resharing, and selling of photos and videos.

The following year, the number increased by 260 percent since the start of lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic.

Based on study, most of the perpetrators of online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC) in the country are parents, family members, and relatives.

“Here in Davao City, naa tay mga data nga reported pero I cannot give the exact number because we still have to collect the data from each agency nga nagahandle ani and even NGOs naa pud silay cases nga naserve o nareport,” Davao CSWDO OFW Families’ Welfare and Crisis Center Head, Joey Jayme, said.

Human trafficking also covers selling of human organs, illegal adoption of children to foreign nationals, illegal recruitment, among others.

“So, sige ta og encourage, sige ta og kampanya nga didto sa grass roots level nga kung unsa ning trafficking, unsa ning OSAEC para sila mismo, kung biktima sila magkaroon pud sila’g courage to report para mabal-an nila nga naa gyud diay silay madangpan,” Jayme added.

CSWDO will also educate barangay officials on how to provide intervention should victims report to them.

CSWDO added that the City Council is set to discuss on third and final reading the proposed ordinance on anti-sexual abuse online involving children.