AUDIO-Bohol members commit 

to foster awareness about OSEC 

TAGBILARAN CITY, March 06 (PIA)--The Members of the Association of United Development Information Officers in Bohol (AUDIO-Bohol) commits to foster awareness about Online Sexual Exploitation of Children (OSEC). 

AUDIO-Bohol members, together with the tri-media practitioners in Bohol attended on February 28, 2018 the OSEC Messaging for information officers and media conducted by the International Justice Mission (IJM), a global organization that protects the poor from violence. 

IJM has been partnering with local authorities to rescue victims of violence, bring criminals to justice, restore survivors and strengthen justice systems. 

IJM has recently transitioned from combatting traditional forms of child sex trafficking towards the growing crime of human trafficking for the purpose of OSEC. They have supported our law enforcement partners to rescue over 270 victims of OSEC in the Philippines, including the rescue of five (5) victims in Calape, Bohol last July 2017 and the arrest of the suspect. 

The suspect was caught offering the girls, including the minors ages 12 and 15, to perform live-streamed sexual acts online for $150 per girl. 

During the operation, the social workers from the Bohol Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) rescued the girls who are now under the protective custody of DSWD. 

The 31-year old suspect is currently detained at Calape Police Station facing complaints for violations under RA 9208, the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act; RA 10175, the Cybercrime Prevention Act; and other related violations, before the Bohol Provincial Prosecution Office. 

With this, IJM Communications, Mobilization and Advocacy Director Evelyn Pingul believed that both the press and the public information officers will play an important role in the fight against this growing violent crime. 

She also recognized that government information officers, particularly those in local government units, can contribute significantly to fostering awareness about OSEC. 

Meanwhile, IJM Partnership Development Coordinator Rebelander Basilan said there are ways to spot the red flags that a child is being sexually exploited and abused online. 

One of this is when a child spends an unusual amount of time online and keeps online activities secret. 

Another is when a child displays anger, restlessness or becomes upset after spending time online and shows an unusual state of quietness and nervousness around authorities. 

When a child engages in risky behavior including taking drugs or alcohol and has visible signs of stress, physical trauma and abuse, it is likely that the child is being sexually exploited and abused online. 

With this IJM called on the media and information officers to disseminate their action line against human trafficking by reporting human traffickers to (02) 1343. (ecb/PIA7-Bohol)