Survivor leader Ruby (a pseudonym), testified at the Senate Inquiry on the Proliferation of Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children last April 3, 2025, together with International Justice Mission Philippines.

The Senate Hearing was called by Senator Risa Hontiveros, chairperson of the Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, to investigate Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) in the Philippines, and the proliferation of OSAEC criminal networks using chat platforms and electronic wallets.

Ruby is a member and survivor leader/advocate from the Philippine Survivor Network. She opened the Hearing with her testimony and call to action.

After being invited to share a message to fellow survivors, Ruby faced the camera. “I am taking this chance to call out to all the other survivors or victims yet na hindi pa kayang magsalita para sa mga sarili nila,” she said. “Kung mananatili tayong tahimik, mananatiling walang takot ang mga tao na gumagawa nito na nakaabuso ng mga bata. So I hope you find the courage within yourselves and look at the people who are willing to support us, especially the national leaders who I believe is taking already the efforts na suportahan tayo.”

Kung mananatili tayong tahimik, mananatiling walang takot ang mga tao na gumagawa nito na nakaabuso ng mga bata.

Ruby’s message to survivors and victims of OSAEC was to break their silence, otherwise, perpetrators will continue to commit their crimes without fear.

Following Ruby's testimony, IJM Philippines National Director Atty. Samson Inocencio Jr. shared key recommendations to effectively address the crime namely: (1) intensifying criminal justice system efforts, (2) strengthening local government response, and (3) enforcing fintech accountability.

Read the official press release of the Philippine Senate here.

Watch the Senate Hearing here.

To learn more about Ruby’s story, listen to the Spotify podcast The Fight of My Life: Finding Ruby.