Norway commits to combat OSAEC in PH

Makati City, Philippines — Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs State Secretary Andreas Motzfeldt Kravik recently visited the Philippines to bolster international cooperation in the fight against OSAEC.

This is in line with Norway’s renewed commitment to combat OSAEC in the Philippines, which has emerged as a global hotspot for online crimes against children, ranking among the top ten producers of exploitative content worldwide.

The visit also follows up on the recent takeoff of the Norway-funded “Uniting Against OSAEC: Multi-stakeholder Collaborations for a Safer Digital Space Project,” implemented by Plan International Pilipinas—a child and youth-centered organization advocating for children’s rights and equality for girls.

“The promotion of human rights and the rights of the children is a very important part of Norway’s foreign and development policy. Four out of five children are vulnerable to online sexual abuse in the Philippines, while around one of the five has been a victim of OSAEC in the Philippines ages 12-17. This is a very alarming number,” said State Secretary Andreas Kravik.

During his trip, the State Secretary engaged in a sit-down dialogue with local stakeholders of the three-year project, including district social workers, Manila Department of Social Welfare (MDSW) representatives, and youth advocates. The conversation had been a key moment for children and youth to share their experiences and insights into how OSAEC cases have impacted their communities.

“As youth advocates, we have experienced firsthand the devastating impact of OSAEC in our communities. That’s why, as peer educators, it’s important for us to prioritize the safety and comfort of participants when addressing the sensitive topic of OSAEC in our awareness-raising activities. We ensure that participants feel secure and empowered to share their views openly.” – Iain, youth advocate.

Since 2020, the surge in OSAEC cases has prompted numerous national legislative actions, resulting in the enactment of Republic Act No. 11930, also known as the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (CSAEM) Law, in 2023. Its subsequent Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) was signed shortly thereafter.

Despite this, persistent challenges continue to impede progress, especially at the local government level.

“Although we have policies within the community, such as those that regulate money remittance centers, we wish to have them in the whole city. And we need additional support to lobby to strengthen programs and services for combatting OSAEC in Manila.” – Honeyleen Montano-Mabaet, Social Welfare Officer from Manila City.

The Norwegian Government is working to enhance local law enforcement through the long-term presence of a Nordic Liaison Office in Manila. The Nordic Liaison supports the operations of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), which aims to rescue victims, detect new OSAEC cases by information sharing and get access to evidence for prosecution of perpetrators in the Nordic countries.

“Norway remains committed to supporting the campaign against OSAEC and will continue to provide financial assistance across various initiatives,” said State Secretary Andreas Kravik.

The De La Salle University’s Social Development Research Center (SDRC) has also been commissioned to study the capacity of local government units (LGUs) to implement the law through local, community-based programs. The Philippines remains a “hotspot” for online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC), according to a 2024 report conducted by Justice and Care. The report offers insight into how live streaming of abuse is happening on the ground and recommendations on how to fight this phenomenon.

“A multi-stakeholder approach is essential in tackling the complex issue of online sexual abuse and exploitation of children. By bringing together diverse actors, including government agencies, civil society organizations, and academic institutions, we can leverage collective expertise and resources to achieve sustainable impact and safeguard the rights of children and youth.” – Dianne Ricafranca, Project Manager at Plan International Pilipinas.

Under the ‘Uniting against OSAEC’ project, Plan International Pilipinas will work with local actors to strengthen the capacity of children and youth to effectively protect themselves and take collective action against OSAEC and online violence.

“Children and youth are not just passive recipients of protection; they are agents of change and key partners in our efforts to address online sexual abuse and exploitation. By involving them in co-creating solutions, we empower them to advocate for their rights and contribute to building safer digital spaces for themselves and future generations.” Ana Maria Locsin, Executive Director of Plan International Pilipinas