Prosecuting Online Sexual Exploitation of Children (POSE) Fundamentals: A Self-Paced Training for Combatting Online Sexual Exploitation of Children, was launched in partnership with DOJ-IACAT (Department of Justice Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking), in a hybrid event on April 30, 2024.

Joining the event online were IJM’s long-time partners, represented by DOJ-IACAT Executive Director Wendell Bendoval and DOJ-IACAT Executive Director Kit Magsaysay . Over 200 participants from the DOJ IACAT, Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG), PNP Women and Children Protection Center (PNP-WCPC), National Bureau of Investigation, Anti-Human Trafficking Division (NBI-AHTRAD) also participated in this launch.

Prior to the development of this online training module, IJM conducted in-person POSE Fundamentals training starting in 2018. POSE Fundamentals has equipped 137 Public Prosecutors, 80 Law Enforcers, and 8 Anti-Money Laundering Council Officials.

“POSE 2024 will offer more flexible learning opportunities to support OSEC case work. The online curriculum will specifically focus on basic POSE concepts and will serve as a prerequisite to the more advanced face-to-face POSE trainings,” IJM’s Atty. Nelisa Guevara-Garcia, Director of National Prosecution Development at IJM’s National Office, explains.

POSE 2024 will offer more flexible learning opportunities to support OSEC case work. The online curriculum will specifically focus on basic POSE concepts and will serve as a prerequisite to the more advanced face-to-face POSE trainings.

The self-paced online format breaks down many barriers to equipping OSAEC front-liners around the country, providing them greater access to key foundational principles. POSE Fundamentals online aims to capacitate at least 210 prosecutors and law enforcement agents in the next two years.

Welcoming the First Cohort of the POSE Fundamentals Self-Paced Training

During the launch period, IJM welcomed 65 participants to the First Cohort of the POSE Fundamentals Self-Paced Training.

These participants will access and study focused and intensive modules of instruction, as well as independent and self-paced activities, designed to provide a holistic and trauma-informed understanding of the current landscape, investigation, and prosecution of OSEC.

“IJM believes that prosecutors and law enforcers play crucial roles in the fight to end OSAEC in the Philippines. It is in recognition of this role that the POSE trainings take its grounding.” Atty. Nelisa Guevara-Garcia says.

IJM Philippines’ National Prosecution Development team. From left to right: Atty. Gelie Erika Esteban, Director Atty. Nelisa Guevara-Garcia, Samantha Gayle Santos, and Marjorie Capiña-Lumanog

IJM’s “unwavering commitment to staying at the forefront of efforts to combat OSAEC”

This initiative is made possible with the partnership and support of the Department of Justice, through its Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (DOJ-IACAT) and the National Coordination Center for Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children and Children Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Materials (NCC-OSAEC-CSAEM).

DOJ-IACAT Executive Director Wendell Bendoval commended IJM for continuing to “provide immense significance in the Philippines, standing as a beacon of hope and a champion for justice in a country grappling with various forms of exploitation and abuse.”

“By investing in the professional development of our prosecutors and law enforcement personnel, we are taking a proactive stance in the fight against OSAEC and other shocking crimes that threaten the fabric of our society,” Bendoval said.

DOJ-IACAT Executive Director Margarita Magsaysay also extends her office’s support to IJM “as a long-standing ally in combatting OSAEC.”

“We are very happy to hear they [IJM has] brought the Prosecuting Online Sexual Exploitation (POSE) Training to the next level by introducing self-paced modules," she says.

“This development signifies IJM’s unwavering commitment to staying at the forefront of efforts to combat OSAEC,” ED Magsaysay adds.

POSE 2024 Participant Selection Process

POSE Fundamentals Self-Paced Training Module prioritizes frontliners in OSEC cases. Eligible prosecutors are nominated by the DOJ-IACAT, and eligible law enforcement partners are nominated by PNP-ACG, PNP-WCPC, and NBI. Following a selection process, nominees receive official invitations. Following the acceptance of the invitation, a registration process is initiated.

The training is conducted at no cost to the participant.

While the training is self-paced within a set period, the beginning and culminating sessions are live and must be attended to complete the training.

Prosecutors and law enforcement agents who are interested can reach out to their respective agencies for further guidance and/or to request nomination.