SUMMARY
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Child pornography is like a deadly endemic disease with no known treatment that spreads more rapidly through third world countries.
It is so contagious that it goads uneducated parents to sell their child in front of a computer in return for money. With technology and the Internet going hand in hand, disposal of their ‘products’ are transferred in a matter of seconds.
Unfortunately, the conspicuous efforts of the authorities may sometimes seem to be sluggish in stopping or lessening the rapid surge of child exploitation in the Philippines.
Child porn hotspot
According to research, the Philippines, Cambodia and Thailand are among the top 10 sources of child pornography in the world.
Meanwhile, Metro Manila, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro and Pampanga are the primary sources of internet child pornography in our country.
Recently, a computer-generated Filipina girl named ‘Sweetie’ lured thousands of pervert-minded men from all over the world.
During the 10-week surveillance period in Amsterdam, about 20,000 men contacted her – 1,000 of them offering money to perform illicit acts in front of the computer.
According to the research, Sweetie will never be used again because she did her job in entrapping the purveyors of child pornography.
The fact that Terre des Hommes International Federation created a replica of a juvenile from the Philippines connotes that our country is a well-known source of child exploitation. (READ: PH a global source for child sex industry – police)
Truth hurts!
Poverty not to blame
Though it may be a significant factor, poverty shouldn’t be blamed alone for the prevalence of child pornography in the country.
If we dig deeper, we’ll find that corruption plays a major role in facilitating pornography.
If the billions-worth of Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) Scam, Malampaya Scam, Fertilizer Fund Scam were properly used for infrastructure, education, health, housing, livelihood projects, etc; we won’t be hearing news about mothers or guardians forcing their children to remove their clothes in front of the camera.
If these children can go to school regularly, they can focus on their studies and not on making ends meet for their families.
If the parents or guardians of these youths work hard enough to earn a living in a moral way, no youngster would be exposed to abuse, whether real or virtual.
If these mothers or guardians are morally guided by the right values, they won’t shove their children to execute indecent acts in return for money. They have to remember that Skype won’t solve their financial woes.
If these mothers or guardians are well-informed about the existing penalties and fines of the anti-child pornography act (R.A. 9775), they’ll hesitate to urge their own children to perform humiliating activities.
Curbing child pornography
How do we beat child porn? Here are some of my suggestions:
Legislation
- Amend R.A. 9775 or the “Anti-Child Pornography Act of 2009” and maximize penalties
- Strengthen the anti-cybercrime law
More budget, experts
- Additional budget for the Cyber Crime Division of the National Bureau of Investigation
- Hire more I.T. experts who can trace whereabouts of the predators
- Strengthen the regulation of Internet Content Hosts (ICH), Internet Service Providers (ISP), and Internet Cafes
Education
- Educate the public on the anti-child pornography law
- Massive advocacy campaigns in high risk communities
- Enhance the capacity of law enforcers to investigate and prosecute child pornography cases
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Educate children about their rights
- Responsible parenthood and proper guidance
- Parents should supervise their children in the use of th Internet
Partnerships
- Strengthen the collaboration of government and non-government organizations (NGOs) in assisting to victims of child pornography and their families
- Government should provide more livelihood projects and job opportunities. People should not solely rely on the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) for their financial needs
Volunteer and Donate
War against child porn
The war against internet child pornography has a long way to go and may worsen in the years to come; and with the accessibility of technology, pedophiles will continue to explicit poor children all over the world.
As long as wicked minds prey on the poor and vulnerable, rampant internet child pornography will continue.
I hope that, with the combined efforts of local and international organizations to curb this huge problem especially in third world countries, there’ll be a time wherein no individual will have to lose their self-respect in order to survive and succeed. – Rappler.com
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