DSWD fuels drive vs online sexual exploitation of kids

CEBU CITY – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Central Visayas kicked off last week the National Children’s Month celebration here with campaigns against online sexual exploitation of children (OSEC) and child pornography in four schools in Lapu-Lapu City and in Cordova town.

DSWD-Central Visayas regional information officer Leah Quintana said 133 students from Ibabao, Elementary School, Cordova National High School, Babag Elementary School and Babag National High School participated in a campus-based information campaign against online sexual exploitation.

Project Development Officer (PDO) of the DSWD-Led Inter-Agency Council, Carolina Nuyda discussed with the student participants the significance of the promotion and protection of children’s rights.

Nuyda highlighted the child’s right to protection from sexual exploitation including prostitution and the use of children in pornographic materials.

She then impressed upon the children the important online safety tips to prevent online sexual exploitation of child pornography.

Nuyda encouraged the children to resist, run and report when someone tries to take a sexually photo or video of them with sexual undertones.

She also told the children to refrain from watching and sharing any materials with sexual graphics, especially if there are children involved in the pornographic material as it is prohibited under Republic Act 9775 or the Anti-Child Pornography Law. (Minerva Bc Newman)