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Hontiveros files anti-online sexual exploitation of children bill


Hontiveros files anti-online sexual exploitation of children bill

Senator Risa Hontiveros is seeking an end to online sexual exploitation of children as she filed a measure strengthening the protection of minors against sexual abuse in the Internet.

Senate Bill 2068, or the proposed Anti-Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children Law or Anti-OSAEC Law, amends the Anti-Child Pornography Act and the Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act to make them more responsive to protecting children against online sexual abuse.

"Panahon na para wakasan ang online sexual exploitation of children (OSEC). Dahil sa maraming kapabayaan, naging global hotspot na tuloy ng OSEC ang Pilipinas," Hontiveros said in a statement.

"Patuloy nating ipaglalaban ang ating mga bata at kabataan. Dapat malaman ng mundo na hindi dapat ikinakalakal ang kanilang kamusmusan," she added.

Citing data from the International Justice Mission, the senator said 86% of online sexual exploitation of children victims are female while 14% are male.

She added that OSAEC is a family-based crime, and many of the customers involved in these acts come from Western countries.

“Even before the rise of technological advances, our country has been a destination for sexual offenders, who would target or manipulate women and children, especially those from impoverished areas. Matagal nang nagiging biktima ang ating kababaihan at kabataan. Pinalala lang ng social media at internet,” Hontiveros said. 

"Dapat malutas na rin natin ang puno at dulo ng transaksyong ito: ang kahirapan. Walang mapipilitang magbenta ng mga anak nila kung may maaayos at disenteng mga trabaho sa bansa. Ngayong Women’s Month, munting handog natin itong panukalang batas para sa ating kababaihan, lalo na ang mga batang babae na patuloy na nagiging biktima ng karahasan at pangaabuso,” she added.

Hontiveros' bill seeks to penalize, among others:

  • those who willfully subscribe to, join or support an Internet address that hosts OSAEC content;
  • those who hire, employ, or pay a facilitator to stream sexual abuse of children; and
  • those who knowingly benefit from the commission of OSAEC.


The measure likewise outlines the duties and obligations of Internet service providers, social media networks, financial institutions and intermediaries, and establishments or facilities to prevent incidents of OSAEC.

Hontiveros rallied the public to support the causes of her bill to finally "put an end to OSAEC."

"Successful OSAEC-related operations by our law enforcement would not have been possible without the cooperation of community members. Kaya makilahok tayong lahat para maproteksyunan ang ating kabataan,” she said. —KG, GMA News

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