PLDT and Smart’s continued partnership with IJM underscores their keen commitment to safeguarding Filipino children in the digital space.

Tech giants PLDT and Smart remain staunch leaders against OSAEC in the Philippines

Safety-by-design approaches are urgently needed to protect children against the threats of OSAEC.

Building Safer Technologies for Children: Safety By Design For All 

The Senate Hearing was called by Senator Risa Hontiveros to investigate OSAEC in the Philippines, and the proliferation of OSAEC criminal networks using chat platforms and electronic wallets.   

Survivor Leader Invited to Testify at Senate Hearing 

Arrested last year for sexually abusing minors in exchange for money from online sex offenders, a man and a woman have been convicted in separate cases and sentenced to several years in prison by courts in Butuan City and Ozamiz City.

2 Traffickers Convicted in Mindanao for Online Sexual Exploitation of Children

Celebrating answered prayers and praying expectantly for greater success in the fight against OSAEC in the year to come

Freedom: The Manila Prayer Gathering 2025

Three courts in the provinces of Nueva Vizcaya and Nueva Ecija convicted a man who was arrested by authorities in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in September last year for trafficking minors and selling child sexual abuse material on Telegram.

Courts convict notorious online sex trafficker arrested after tip-off by concerned citizen on Facebook

 A two-day townhall meeting among judges, lawyers, advocates of child protection, and survivors of online sexual exploitation or abuse of children (OSAEC) focusing on the role of the judiciary in pursuing the best interests of the child survivor.

IJM and the Supreme Court Host the Second Judicial Congress 

The work of the IACAT-OPG-OSG Legal Task Force expedites the journey toward justice for OSAEC and TIP survivors and casework teams nationwide.

Justice Without Delay: Government Agencies Join Forces to Streamline the Legal Process in Trafficking Cases

A 27-year-old trafficker will spend the rest of his life behind bars after being convicted of offering to livestream the sexual abuse of two minors in exchange for money.

Trafficker Sentenced to Life Imprisonment for Online Sexual Exploitation of Children

POSE Advanced Training kicks off the year with its first in-person training since the pandemic. This in-depth, high-impact training is an investment in child protection.

POSE (Prosecuting Online Sexual Exploitation) In-Person Training Resumes with POSE Advanced 

A Quezon City court has sentenced a woman to life imprisonment and imposed a P2 million fine for violating the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Materials (CSAEM) Act. 

Quezon City Court Sentences Woman to Life Imprisonment for Online Sexual Exploitation of Children

John Tanagho and OSEC Survivors are calling for a CSAM wipeout. This means blocking and preventing access to CSAM at every conceivable opportunity.

It is Time for a CSAM Wipeout

IJM partners with the government to deliver trauma-informed care (TIC) training to aftercare providers across the country. Here is why TIC is so important.

Aftercare of OSEC Survivors: Why Trauma-Informed Care Matters

A new, groundbreaking anti-OSAEC resource for prosecutors and law enforcers, released by the Philippine government in partnership with International Justice Mission

The Anti-OSAEC Resource that Caseworkers Have Been Waiting For

Two courts have handed down convictions in two harrowing cases of human trafficking and online sexual exploitation of children, sentencing three perpetrators—including mothers of the victims—to a combined 55 years of imprisonment. 

Three Convicted in Tarlac and Pampanga for Online Sexual Exploitation of Children 

As a parent or guardian, you have an important and critical role to play in your child’s safety.  

Child Online Safety – A Guide for Parents

A milestone in child-protective prosecution: a conviction secured without the child victim having to appear in court

5-Year Trial Concludes with Conviction

Effective investigative skills are the bedrock of successful law enforcement. The BASIC Internet Crimes Against Children is one of ILED’s primary or core trainings to sharpen the ability of law enforcement officers to uncover the truth, protect children in their communities, and build public trust in public justice system. 

Equipped to Protect: Sharpening the Anti-OSEC Spear 

The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) issue two key Memorandum Circulars, accelerating local action against online sexual abuse or exploitation of children (OSAEC).

Local governments empowered to protect Filipino children from online exploitation 

National and local leaders join forces to see the end of OSAEC and other forms of human trafficking in the Philippines 

United in action ending OSAEC as one nation 

The Assessment of Survivor Outcomes (ASO) tool, the first globally validated assessment tool for trafficking survivors, plays a critical role in survivor restoration. The institutionalization of the ASO by DSWD marks a significant step in providing the utmost care for survivors of OSAEC and other trafficking crimes in the Philippines.

IJM Assessment of Survivor Outcomes Tool Receives DSWD Endorsement

Congratulations to the 48 participants of the first run of IJM’s POSE Fundamentals Online Training. 

POSE Fundamentals Self-Paced Training Completes First Run 

PLDT and Smart are among the most proactive and vigilant companies in the private sector partnering with IJM in combatting OSAEC.

PLDT and Smart Blocked Close to 1 Million OSEC-linked URLs in 2023

IJM and survivors co-authored Voices of Empowerment, a report on key learnings from collaborations with survivor consultants.

IJM and Survivor Leaders Release Guide to Survivor Engagement

The report released by the United States Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons recognizes Atty. Sam Inocencio's contribution to strengthening the Philippines' response to trafficking.

The U.S. TIP (Trafficking In Persons) 2024 Report Honors IJM Philippines Lawyer as one of the year's 10 TIP Heroes

Prosecuting Online Sexual Exploitation of Children (POSE) Fundamentals Basic Module is now accessible in the new self-paced E-learning format, offering greater flexibility for OSAEC case workers to begin their POSE training.  

IACAT and IJM Launch Online Training for Front-liners of OSAEC Cases

The Philippines "is not what it was 5-10 years ago,” CSAM creators warn each other on the dark web. This speaks of the impact of the Philippine criminal justice system on deterrence today. 

Evidence of Increased OSEC Deterrence on the Dark Web

Survivor Ruby spoke alongside IJM at a press conference, urging Big Tech to take action.

Philippine Survivor Calls for Urgent Action in U.S. Online Child Safety Legislation 

Filipina survivor leader Cassie* advocates for a stronger response against livestreamed child sexual abuse before the UK Parliament. 

Survivor Appeals to the Parliament in IJM UK Roundtable 

IJM Legal Fellow Erin Canino reflects on the fight for justice and the perseverance and faith to pursue what seems impossible.

Impossible Things

Members of the Supreme Court and family court judges gathered for a first-of-its-kind townhall meeting aimed at strengthening the protection of child victims in court proceedings. 

IJM Holds First Judicial Congress to Advance Child-Friendly Courts  

A woman who livestreamed the sexual abuse of her six-year-old niece will spend up to 40 years in prison after the Supreme Court upheld the decision of a lower court that found her guilty.

Supreme Court Affirms Woman's Conviction in OSAEC Case

A coalition of survivors of child sexual abuse, commercial sexual exploitation, and online sexual exploitation of children in the Philippines elevates its leadership in global academics and research. 

Survivors Share Experience and Expertise in International Collaborations

Protecting children from threats of online child sexual exploitation has become more urgent than ever. Social media platforms have the responsibility and opportunity to help our country shield children from predators. 

Kumu on the Need for Urgent Action for Online Safety  

IJM and partners conclude the 5th round of immersive law enforcement training for the work against online sexual exploitation of children 

Strengthening OSEC Response through the Advanced Investigative Workshop 

Local governments and their lawmakers form a growing wave of child protection, making localities across the Philippines more equipped against OSAEC than ever before. 

Local Legislators Rise Up as Champions of Child Protection

A pioneering methodology to estimate the prevalence of trafficking of children to produce new child sexual exploitation material (CSEM) in livestreamed videos, images, and recorded videos was developed in a two-year project led by IJM's Center to End Online Sexual Exploitation of Children. 

Findings of Scale of Harm Prevalence Study Released 

The Philippines has consistently qualified for the highest ranking in the yearly U.S. State Department’s Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report, since 2016.  

2023 U.S. Trafficking In Persons Report Highlights Partnership with Survivors - PH Ranks Tier 1 for 8th Straight Year

A Historic Moment in the Work of Justice  

Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Anti-OSAEC Law Signed  

Welcoming the legislative strides of the U.S. Senate in combatting online sexual exploitation of children 

IJM supports the EARN IT Act of 2023

Celebrating partners, survivor leaders, and the big wins in supporting child survivors of online sexual exploitation around the Philippines   

Stronger Together: Celebrating a 2-year IJM and U.S. State Department Collaboration in Creating a Network of Care for Survivors

The Philippine Survivor Network writes a letter in support of the proposed EU legislation to prevent and combat child sexual exploitation and abuse online, along with their recommendations.

Philippine Survivors Urge EU Parliament and Council for Stronger Legislation

Survivors of child sexual abuse and exploitation launched the Philippine Survivor Network (PSN) today, Feb. 8, 2023, as they stepped up to lead a movement to protect vulnerable people through a robust Philippine justice system.

Philippine Survivor Network Launched

Five local government units have courageously stood up to protect children against online sexual abuse and exploitation.

Local Legislators Step Up Fight Against Online Child Sex Abuse

The recently passed Anti-OSAEC* Law (R.A. 11930) gives local governments the authority and access to resources to protect communities from the *Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children. But local legislators must take some first steps.

IJM Works with Local Lawmakers to Strengthen Child Protection in Communities

500K Filipino children victimized by online sexual abuse in 2022 — study

Lawyer arrested in Zamboanga City for alleged child abuse, human trafficking

Protect children from livestreamed sexual abuse – now

Ivorian Police receive international training on cybercrime against children

On These Apps, the Dark Promise of Mothers Sexually Abusing Children

Gatchalian Wants to Probe Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children

MINDANAO, PHILIPPINES – Arrested last year for sexually abusing minors in exchange for money from online sex offenders, a man and a woman have been convicted in separate cases and sentenced to several years in prison by courts in Butuan City and Ozamiz City.

LUZON, PHILIPPINES—Three courts in the provinces of Nueva Vizcaya and Nueva Ecija
convicted a man who was arrested by authorities in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in September last year for trafficking minors and selling child sexual abuse material on Telegram.

Bulacan, Philippines – A 27-year-old trafficker will spend the rest of his life behind bars after being convicted of offering to livestream the sexual abuse of two minors in exchange for money. Aside from life imprisonment, a court in Malolos City, Bulacan also imposed...

QUEZON CITY, PHILIPPINES – A Quezon City court has sentenced a woman to life imprisonment and imposed a P2 million fine for violating the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Materials (CSAEM) Act.

MANILA, Philippines—On this year’s Safer Internet Day, International Justice Mission (IJM) stands in solidarity with the Philippine government and global stakeholders in the fight to end Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and trafficking.

IJM Joins Philippine Government and Global Community in Observance of Safer Internet Day

ILIGAN CITY, PHILIPPINES – After a three-week investigation, operatives from Iligan City’s task force against OSAEC arrested a 31-year-old mother* for allegedly offering to livestream the sexual abuse of her seven-year-old daughter in exchange for money.

Iligan Task Force Brings 7 Minors to Safety, Arrests Suspected Trafficker in Locally Initiated Operation Against OSAEC

The University of the Philippines (UP) Law Center – Institute of Government and Law Reform (IGLR) and International Justice Mission (IJM) Philippines launched its joint publication, A Primer on Republic Act No. 11930 or the Anti-OSAEC and Anti-CSAEM Act, at the Law Library Commons, Malcolm Hall, UP College of Law. 

UP IGLR and IJM Launch Primer on the Philippines’ Anti-OSAEC and Anti-CSAEM Law

TAGAYTAY CITY, PHILIPPINES—The Philippine government, in partnership with IJM, launched a groundbreaking resource to empower prosecutors and law enforcement in the fight
against Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC).

IJM and IACAT-DOJ Launch Handbook to Strengthen OSAEC Prosecution and Child Protection

Two courts have handed down convictions in two harrowing cases of human trafficking and
online sexual exploitation of children, sentencing three perpetrators—including mothers of the victims—to a combined 55 years of imprisonment. 

Three Convicted in Tarlac and Pampanga for Online Sexual Exploitation of Children

Bogotá, Colombia — The first-ever Global Ministerial Conference on ending violence against
children on November 7-8 in Colombia could be a gamechanger in tackling an avalanche of
child abuse globally, if these four key commitments are made in the Bogotá Declaration...

Historic Global Summit on Ending Violence Against Children Could Be a Gamechanger

On Friday, November 1, the Paris Assizes Court found a 59 year-old French citizen guilty of complicity in the rape and sexual assault of minors and sentenced him to 25 years in prison.

IJM Urges Tech and Financial Sector Accountability as French Citizen Found Guilty in Livestreamed Sexual Assault of Filipino Children Case

In a significant step to strengthen the fight against OSAEC, the Philippine government formalized the creation of a new legal task force designed to improve the litigation of cases involving TIP and OSAEC crimes...

Philippine Government Forms Task Force to Strengthen Legal Action Against Trafficking and Child Exploitation

MANILA, PHILIPPINES – A national summit centered on combating online sexual abuse or exploitation
of children was held on September 16, 2024, bringing together leaders from the Philippine
national government, local government units, and various organizations to unite and strengthen
efforts to increase community reporting of these crimes.

Unified Front Against OSAEC: Philippine leaders join forces to protect children

MANILA, PHILIPPINES – International Justice Mission (IJM) strongly supports the intensified
initiatives of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), under the
leadership of Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr., to combat online sexual abuse and
exploitation of children (OSAEC).

IJM Backs DILG’s Intensified Efforts Against Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC)

International Justice Mission and Team Freedom made a courtesy call to the Department of Justice - Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking and reaffirmed their commitment to supporting government efforts to combat the online sexual abuse and exploitation of children in the Philippines.

IJM, Team Freedom & Michael Porter Jr. laud Philippine government for Tier 1 status, affirm support to fight OSAEC to the finish

MANILA, PHILIPPINES – A groundbreaking documentary about the global crisis of online child sexual abuse has been released by the French-German broadcaster ARTE TV.

Documentary Spotlighting Global Crisis of Online Child Sexual Abuse to Air on ARTE TV, Supported by IJM

International Justice Mission has recommended concrete steps as it expressed support for President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s directive to step up efforts against online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC) in the Philippines.

IJM Proposes Steps Following President Marcos' OSAEC Directive

MANILA, PHILIPPINES – A woman who livestreamed the sexual abuse of her six-year-old niece will spend up to 40 years of her life in prison after the Supreme Court upheld the decision of a lower court that found her guilty.

Supreme Court Affirms Woman’s Conviction in OSAEC Case

DAVAO CITY, PHILIPPINES – Arrested after offering to sexually abuse her 6-year-old son and a one-year-old girl for profit, a 32-year-old trafficker in Davao City has been sentenced to four life terms, marking one of the strongest penalties ever imposed in a case of online child sexual exploitation.

Trafficker Gets Four Life Sentences in Davao City

MANILA, PHILIPPINES – In 2022 alone, nearly half a million Filipino children, or roughly 1 in 100 children, were trafficked to produce child sexual exploitation material (CSEM) for profit, according to estimates from the pioneering Scale of Harm prevalence study.

Nearly half a million children sexually exploited in livestreams, new abuse images and videos in the Philippines last year 

BACOLOD CITY, PHILIPPINES – Police rescued four children from online sexual exploitation and arrested two suspected traffickers in an operation in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental on July 14, 2023.

Four children rescued from online sexual exploitation in bacolod city

MANILA, PHILIPPINES – An international investigation resulted in the successful rescue of a 6-year-old girl from online sexual exploitation, and the arrest of a suspected trafficker, on June 18, 2023. Another suspect had been arrested in Manila on November 11, 2022.

Global law enforcement collaboration leads to rescue of 6-year-old girl from online sexual exploitation

TAGUIG CITY, PHILIPPINES – For engaging in the heinous act of sexually abusing children for profit online, a female trafficker has been sentenced to a maximum of 26 years of imprisonment. This sentencing comes after she pleaded guilty to attempted trafficking and child abuse.

Taguig City Court Convicts Trafficker in Online Child Sexual Exploitation Case

Manila, Philippines - International Justice Mission (IJM), a global organization dedicated to combating human trafficking and protecting vulnerable individuals, commends the Philippines on its remarkable achievement of maintaining its Tier 1 ranking in the U.S. State Department’s Trafficking in Persons Report for the eighth consecutive year.

Philippines Maintains Tier 1 Ranking in U.S. State Department’s Trafficking in Persons Report

SAMAR, PHILIPPINES – A woman faces an imprisonment of up to 42 years for sexually abusing minors in exchange for money from online sex offenders.

Samar court sentences online sex trafficker to up to 42 years in prison

Stakeholders celebrated the successful conclusion of the “A Strong Network of Care” project by International Justice Mission (IJM) and the U.S. State Department Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons.

International Justice Mission and U.S. State Department conclude project supporting survivors of online sexual exploitation

TAGUIG CITY, PHILIPPINES – A man was sentenced to life imprisonment for trafficking minors for child sexual abuse in exchange for money from online sex offenders.


Trafficker gets life sentence for child sexual exploitation

LEYTE, PHILIPPINES – A female trafficker received two life sentences for sexually abusing minors, including her own daughter, in exchange for money from online sex offenders.

Leyte court sentences online sex trafficker to life in prison

BISLIG CITY, SURIGAO DEL SUR – Five women who sexually abused and exploited children to make money online have been sentenced to a maximum of 15 years in prison. They pleaded guilty to attempted trafficking nearly three years after their arrest in local operations that stemmed from a referral by Australian authorities.

5 traffickers face up to 15 years in prison for child exploitation online

ILIGAN CITY, PHILIPPINES – Two traffickers who sexually abused children for profit online were each sentenced to serve up to 35 years in prison and pay over P1 million in fines and damages. The Iligan City Regional Trial Court Branch 2 handed down its decisions after both men entered into plea agreements. They pleaded guilty in February 2023, but one of them had a prior conviction in November 2021, also through a plea agreement.

2 men to spend decades in prison for online sexual exploitation of children

LUZON, PHILIPPINES – In a landmark month for the fight against online sexual exploitation of children, four persons were convicted in January 2023, including two female traffickers who were sentenced to life imprisonment.

4 persons convicted in Pateros and Cavite for online sexual exploitation of children

ILIGAN CITY, PHILIPPINES – A court in Iligan City sentenced two men to over 10 years in prison after they pleaded guilty to offenses related to the online sexual exploitation and abuse of children. Iligan City Regional Trial Court Branch 2 handed down the decisions on Feb. 9, 2023, after both men entered into plea agreements.

Two men convicted over online child sexual exploitation in Iligan

MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Survivors of child sexual abuse and exploitation launched the Philippine Survivor Network (PSN) today, Feb. 8, 2023, as they stepped up to lead a movement to protect vulnerable people through a robust Philippine justice system.