Jiu-jitsu champ battles Philippines’ sex abuse scourge
MANILA: Abandoned and sexually abused as a young girl, Angelica, like thousands of minors in the Philippines – a global blackspot for child abuse – struggled to cope with the horrors of her past, but a new campaign run by a sporting champion is giving her and other survivors fresh hope.
Filipina martial arts star Meggie Ochoa is teaching self-defence to victims of sexual abuse in a bid to give them tools to better recover from such trauma, but also to better protect themselves in the future.
Children’s charities have branded the Philippines a key hub for both the live-streaming of child sex abuse and for sex tourism, estimating that 60,000-100,000 children are involved in prostitution rings.
“Some of the kids that I’ve gotten to know ... they saw themselves as worthless because of what they experienced. For me that’s so heartbreaking,” said the jiu-jitsu world champion of her decision to launch advocacy campaign Fight to Protect.
In just two years, she has taught hundreds of sex abuse survivors.
She offers two courses – one for those who wish to learn the sport, and another focused purely on self-defence.
“Jiu-jitsu taught me to be disciplined, confident and to face my fears,” said Angelica, now aged 15.
“I can face the problems I encountered before and I am now comfortable interacting with people.”
Advocacy and legal aid group International Justice Mission (IJM) says Philippine children are at risk of being forced into live streamed sex abuse, where paedophiles pay to direct so-called “shows” online.
“Easy access to the web and money transfer services make the country a global hotspot for this problem,” said IJM, noting that it is often parents or family members that organise or even commit the abuse.
“It’s just horrible, not just sexual exploitation but also sexual abuse which is happening in the homes of many Filipino children,” said Ochoa.
“I was just so bothered.”
A figure of national sporting pride, Ochoa realised she could use her success to help others after reading about Karla Jacinto, a Mexican girl who estimated she was raped 43,200 times.
She was horrified to find there were likely many victims in the Philippines too.
“Somehow part of me felt guilt,” Ochoa explained.
“I’m doing jiu-jitsu. I am pursuing my dream and yet this is happening.”