IJM’s mission around the globe protects those who are vulnerable, those who are unable to protect themselves.

In 2023, the Scale of Harm study revealed that almost half a million children in the Philippines experienced livestreamed sexual exploitation in their own homes, facilitated by their own elders, the very people whose task it is to protect them.

While the fight against online sexual abuse or exploitation of children (OSAEC) in the Philippines has come a long way and there is much progress. Our government is more equipped and able than ever before. Awareness continues to spread. The support of corporations and governments around the world is expanding. More survivor voices are rising up, calling for greater accountability among business leaders, and advocating for stronger laws to protect children.

We cannot stop praying and believing for large-scale transformation and change that will impact victims, survivors, and strengthen the protection of all our nation’s children.

Supported by a Network of Faith Organizations

IJM is grateful for partnerships formed with faith organizations, throughout our 23 years of work in the Philippines.

Church partners from different denominations and background have joined hands as prayer warriors, with many laboring in the mission to fight against OSEC in the Philippines, providing support to survivor shelters.

Uniting in Prayer for the Work against OSAEC

A number of Luzon-based church partners, among other guests, joined IJM Philippines’ Manila Prayer Gathering last March 13, 2024 to pray for the many needs of the mission and the work that many sectors of society are engaged in, most especially law enforcement, government agencies, and fintech companies.

We were honored to have survivors present as well, serving as greeters, ushering, praying with us, singing, and sharing their stories.

Survivor leader Theia co-facilitated the prayer meeting with IJM lawyer Atty Ralph Catedral.

Gloryfall, a local worship music ministry, led us in worship, and Theia sang a song that is particularly meaningful to the Philippine Survivor Network, Jesus Strong and Kind.

Our first prayer gathering after the Scale of Harm results, this was a sobering time reflecting on the needs of our nation’s children and the scale of the crime. But also, a time to acknowledge how big our God is.

We are thankful for all those who took the time to join us. Police Brigadier General (PBGEN) Portia B. Manalad from the Philippine National Police - Women and Children Protection Center, guests from long-time faith partner PIMAHT (Philippine Inter-faith Movement Against Human Trafficking, and IJM APAC President Christa Sharpe, are among those who graced us with their presence and shared the stage with words of encouragement.

Let us continue praying, as this war is fought on our knees as much as in our capacity as professionals.

An almighty Fortress, You go before us Nothing can stand against the power of our God.

So when I fight, I’ll fight on my knees With my hands lifted high Oh God, the battle belongs to you.

From Battle Belongs by Phil Wickham, sung by Gloryfall at the Manila Prayer Gathering

Survivors Leading with Faith and Courage

Survivors leading the world in prayer and song is itself a story of transformation and change.

We are grateful for partners like the members of City Alight and St Paul’s church in Sydney, Australia who have been part of the faith journey of the Philippine Survivor Network.

City Alight is behind the original and re-made song Jesus, Strong and Kind, with the support of IJM Australia, IJM Singapore, IJM Philippines, and members of the Philippine Survivor Network (PSN).

Rich Thompson, one of the writers of the song “Jesus, Strong and Kind,” and long-time IJM collaborator, shared that:

This is incredible that these girls are able to sing this song after everything they’ve gone through and with such hope, with such joy, and such peace.

In March 2023, the CityAlight team traveled to the Philippines to record a new version of the song with survivors. Scenes for the music video were filmed in a cornfield in Pampanga, a 2-hour drive north of Manila.

The re-made Jesus Strong and Kind music video with CityAlight was released in September 2023 with an accompanying documentary to tell the background story.

Fighting a Global Crime with a Global Network of Prayer

IJM Philippines was visited recently by a number of churches and ministry teams who support the work against OSAEC, from Canada, Korea, the United States, and Singapore.

Our team was blessed by the recent visits of Austin Ridge and E-Free Lethbridge Church of Alberta who spent time with our Manila office.

We thank everyone who has joined the mission with their time, resources, presence, faith, and prayers.

Please continue praying for the mission. Please visit ijm.org.ph/pray to see a list of prayer needs.

Photography by Daniel Sarco