by Anna Felicia Bajo/BM, GMA News, Apr 17, 2019
The Australian Embassy in the Philippines has launched a program that aims to help protect children in the Philippines from online exploitation, abuse, and violence.
The SaferKidsPH program is a six-year, AUS$8-million (P298-million) venture that “reinforces our commitment to support the Philippine government’s efforts to address this complex form of human trafficking,” said Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Steven Robinson in a statement.
“SaferKidsPH will also work with the private sector and the community to develop the best solutions for a safer online environment for every Filipino child,” he added.
According to Robinson, the program will provide grants to the Australian Federal Police as well as a UNICEF-led consortium that includes the Asia Foundation and Save the Children Philippines.
Save the Children Philippines chief executive officer Albert Muyot said that the involvement of local government units and community members is key in protecting children from online sexual exploitation (OSEC).
“We need to increase public vigilance to prevent and reduce incidents of OSEC by strengthening child protection systems at the local level,” Muyot said.
According to a statement from UNICEF, the SaferKidsPH program is expected to strengthen the probe, prosecution and adjudication of cybercrime cases as well as improve services to protect children in target hotspots. —
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