Online sexual abuse of children increased to 2.7M —CHR report

The reported cases of online sexual abuse and exploitation of children in the Philippines has increased to around 2.7 million, according to a Commission on Human Rights (CHR) report. 

The CHR Child Rights Center 2025 report showed that the number as of the end of 2023 is six times higher compared to 2019.

"Many cases involved perpetrators who are family members or close relatives. The trauma caused by abuse, compounded by fear, shame, and the emotional toll of legal proceedings, often deters child victims from seeking help or pursuing justice," the CHR said.

From 426,000 online sexual abuse and exploitation of children incidents in 2019, the CHR reported that it nearly tripled to 1.297 million incidents by the end of 2020 before reaching 2.7 million incidents based on the latest report by the end of 2023.

The report identified economic vulnerability, particularly poverty, as a primary factor of the increasing number of online sexual abuse and exploitation of children. 

'Gaps'

The CHR said that the report showed that current measures are not enough to prevent the rise of online sexual abuse of children, primarily due to the "gaps" in child-sensitive handling of these cases. These include challenges in reporting mechanisms, rescue operations, and rehabilitation and reintegration efforts, which it said are worsened by perpetrators who are relatives of the victims.

"These gaps not only worsen the trauma experienced by child victims, but also contribute to continued underreporting, particularly in cases where parents are the perpetrators," the CHR said.

Given these findings, the CHR called on the government institutions to calibrate their rescue and rehabilitation efforts by adopting a child-sensitive and trauma-informed approach to ensure sufficient resources for psychosocial recovery and long-term support.

Likewise, the CHR underscored the importance of providing appropriate psychological and financial interventions not only to affected children but also to family members who may have committed abuse to acknowledge the need for comprehensive rehabilitation to break cycles of exploitation.

To prevent retraumatization during legal proceedings, the CHR also recommends the use of pre-recorded testimonies in place of repeated in-person recounting of abuse.

Other CHR recommendations are:

• Sustained online sexual abuse and exploitation of children awareness campaigns
• Poverty alleviation and livelihood programs for vulnerable communities
• Stronger collaboration with internet service providers to detect and disrupt exploitation activities
• Promotion of offline and community-based recreational activities for children and
• Enhanced oversight and accountability mechanisms through the Congressional Oversight Committee.

"We call on government agencies, civil society, the private sector, and local communities to work together to build a digital environment where children are safe, valued, and empowered. Through stronger policies, collective action, and increased awareness, we can put an end to online child exploitation and protect their future," said the CHR.

International obligations

The CHR emphasized that as a state party to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), the Philippines is bound by international obligations to ensure that every child is protected, respected, and supported.

This duty is also provided under the Optional Protocol on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution, and Child Pornography which mandates comprehensive support for child victims—including medical, psychological, and financial assistance—as well as the imposition of strict penalties on offenders.

Further, Republic Act 11930, or the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials Act, also provides that the state has the obligation to protect children from all forms of online sexual exploitation and abuse, particularly those perpetrated through digital platforms and Information and Communications Technology (ICT). —VAL, GMA Integrated News