DSWD vows to boost anti-child porn efforts amid reports of increased activities

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has vowed to strengthen its efforts against child pornography as reports showed an increase in transactions supposedly related to such illicit activities.

The DSWD said that as head of the Inter-Agency Council Against Child Pornography (IACACP had started working closely with law enforcement agencies to ensure that victims of child pornography could be rescued and perpetrators arrested.

The department noted an Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) report that pointed to more suspicious transactions linked to pornography — which came on the heels of reports that some minors and young people were selling pornographic photos online to make money.

“The [DSWD] as the chair of the [IACACP] commits to strengthen its programs and services for victims of child pornography and their families and to advocate for stronger policies that would ensure the protection of children from various forms of sexual exploitation,” the DSWD said in a statement on Tuesday.

“As chair of the IACACP and the lead agency in the social protection of vulnerable sectors, the DSWD is closely working with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to track and apprehend the perpetrators of child pornography and rescue the victims,” it added.

The AMLC has sounded the alarm over an increase in child porn transactions as early as September 2020 amid the long lockdowns due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  The committee pointed towards economical challenges amid the lockdowns as a driving force for young people to go into pornography.

It further noted that existing laws and safeguards are not enough to combat the rise of child pornography in the country.

The Anti-Child Pornography Act of 2009 penalizes employing or inducing children to work in the pornographic industry; producing, selling, or advertising child pornography; and possessing or downloading such materials.

The so-called alter movement is also gaining ground on social media, with young people selling photos of themselves using hashtags to explore buyers; and vice versa as buyers find prospective customers using the said scheme.

The DSWD said that it would be working with local government units to increase awareness about the issue which may prevent and detect incidents of child porn or child exploitation.

“Likewise, in this time of pandemic, the DSWD emphasized that it is even more crucial to closely monitor the safety of children even inside their homes, since they cannot go out to report abuses being committed against them,” the DSWD pleaded.

For incidents of or concerns about possible child pornography, DSWD said that people can report through these hotlines:

• DSWD Recovery and Reintegration Program for Trafficked Persons (RRPTP) Hotline: (02) 8931-9141
• Text DSWD blockchildporn URL address and send to 2327or Text blockchildporn URL address and send to 0918-9122813
• Commission on Filipino Overseas TIP Hotline 1343
• PNP Patrol 911
• PNP Women and Children Protection Center: 0919 777 7377
• PNP Anti Cybercrime Group: Tel. No. (02) 723-0401 local 5354 Fax No. (02) 414-1560, 0926-084-3792
• NBI: (02) 523-8231 to 38 local 3454 to 3455
• DOJ-Office of Cybercrime Tel. NO.(02) 524-82-16

The DSWD reiterated that a coordinated global and national response is needed in addressing child pornography, especially during this pandemic when more people, including children, are spending more hours online.

The IACACP is tasked to guarantee the protection of every child from all forms of neglect, cruelty, and other conditions prejudicial to his/her development. It was created through the Anti-Child Pornography Act of 2009.

RELATED STORIES

Authorities pressed to crack down on online child pornography

DTI urged: Crack down on equipment used for child pornography

[atm]