This is not the kind of recognition that most of us would welcome.
According to a study by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) released this week, the Philippines is still among the world’s top sources of child pornography and is one of the “worst-affected countries in Asia-Pacific for online abuse.”
UNICEF raised the alarm over child pornography in the Philippines in a statement on Tuesday, citing cases where even parents help “arrange sexual abuse of children on camera.”
“We need to raise awareness and vigilance of this issue, so that parents and others understand that child abuse – in any form – is not just morally wrong, it is also extremely harmful to children’s health and development,” Lotta Sylwander, UNICEF Representative in the Philippines said.
Sylwander said “the situation is getting worse, not better.”
She said several children around the Philippines continue to participate in webcam “shows” where they are paid as low as PHP150 (US$3) for an appearance.
“The cost to their health and well-being is much greater. In later life, they are more likely to have mental health problems, not attend or drop out of school, to attempt suicide, and to engage in high-risk behaviors,” Sylwander added.
UNICEF Associate Director of Child Protection, Cornelius Williams said that the”internet and mobile phones have revolutionized young people’s access to information.” But that same technology also poses risks to young children for cyber exploitation.
According to the UNICEF study, at least 8 in 10 of Filipino youth is at risk of online sexual abuse and bullying.
A total of 434 18-year-olds from the cities of Manila, Cebu, Davao, and Angeles were surveyed for the study.
with reporting from ABS-CBN News
