CHR urges stronger action vs child sexual abuse

The Commission on Human Rights called for stronger protections against child sexual abuse and exploitation as the Philippines observes the 30th National Awareness Week for the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation from Feb. 8–14, 2026.

The CHR said the annual observance is declared under Proclamation No. 731 and reinforces the state’s duty to protect children, anchored in Republic Act No. 7610, or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act.

The commission said the country continues to confront longstanding child sexual abuse while online sexual abuse and exploitation has become a pervasive and deeply rooted problem as digital access expanded.

The CHR said the threat intensified during the pandemic and post-pandemic years and now requires sustained vigilance and robust safeguards in both offline and online spaces.

The CHR cited findings from its Child Rights Center in a 2025 report that align with national and international reporting showing a steep rise in Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children, or OSAEC.

The commission said that in 2023 alone, over 2.7 million cyber tipline reports were recorded, which it described as an alarming increase from pre-pandemic levels.

The CHR pointed to poverty-driven vulnerabilities, the involvement of family members, and the trauma associated with abuse as factors that contribute to chronic underreporting.

The commission said the Philippines’ obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and its Optional Protocols, and domestically under Republic Act No. 11930, require accessible, child-sensitive, and trauma-informed mechanisms for reporting, rescue, rehabilitation, and justice.

As the national human rights institution, the CHR said the best interests of the child must guide proceedings and interventions, including trauma-informed investigations and rehabilitation.

The statement flagged the use of pre-recorded testimonies as an example of a trauma-informed practice meant to avoid re-traumatization.

The CHR also called for stronger community-based psychosocial support not only for victims but also for families in high-risk environments to help break cycles of abuse.

The commission said broader protective measures should include poverty alleviation and livelihood support for vulnerable households.

The CHR said it is also important to continue monitoring child displacement, child labor, and child marriage.

The commission called for stronger collaboration with internet service providers and digital platforms to detect and disrupt online exploitation.

The CHR said sustained information and awareness initiatives are also vital to empower children, caregivers, schools, and communities.

The commission acknowledged what it described as a growing multi-stakeholder movement against child sexual abuse and exploitation.

The CHR cited 2025 initiatives that included a joint solidarity forum on child protection with Ateneo de Manila University.

The commission also cited the presentation of evidence-based research at a Department of Justice-led children’s summit in 2025.

The CHR said the continued implementation of the Kabataan Karapatan Caravan also reflects the role of government, academe, civil society, and communities in advancing children’s rights.

The commission said it remains committed to amplifying evidence, strengthening partnerships, and monitoring child rights conditions nationwide as part of its mandate.

The CHR described child sexual abuse as a profound violation of human rights that strips children of dignity, safety, and the opportunity to thrive.

The commission said protecting children demands consistent and collective willingness to confront uncomfortable truths, challenge harmful norms, and strengthen protection systems to respond to evolving risks.

As the awareness week is marked, the CHR urged institutions and individuals to pursue sustained action so that every child’s safety is treated not as an aspiration but as a non-negotiable standard.