MANILA, PHILIPPINES – The Department of Social Welfare and Development recorded that over 2,000 victims of sexual abuse and human trafficking had received interventions from the agency in 2023.
This continuing effort and initiative aims to protect every Filipino from such crimes, namely sexual abuse, exploitation, and human trafficking.
According to the data from DSWD, there were 320 minors rescued against online sexual abuse or exploitation of children (OSAEC), anti-child sexual abuse or exploitation materials (CSAEM), and trafficking.
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DSWD Asst. Secretary for Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) Irene Dumlao said the social welfare department is fully committed to securing the well-being of those included in the vulnerable sector.
She also added that the agency acknowledged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s sense of urgency to implement a comprehensive and intensive action plan to fully eradicate OSAEC and CSAEM in the country.
“We at the DSWD reaffirm our commitment to protect the welfare of these vulnerable children. We recognize the urgency of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to implement a comprehensive and intensive action plan to combat OSAEC and CSAEM,” Asst. Sec. Dumlao stated.
Chief Executive Marcos warned the perpetuators that the administration would make sure that the country would be their worst haven for someone who abused and exploited children; he said in a sectoral meeting conducted last Tuesday.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) offers victim-survivors of trafficking, OSAEC, and CSAEM a comprehensive program that guarantees appropriate recovery and reintegration assistance through the Recovery and Reintegration Program of Trafficked Persons (RRPTP).
Numerous services were offered to the victim-survivors, including financial support for livelihood assistance, skills training, transportation, medical care, and support services during and after the rescue operations; temporary shelter; support services like transportation, medical attention, and education; and economic reintegration services.
The agency spokeswoman stated that in order to guarantee the program’s effective and efficient execution as well as its responsiveness to the needs of trafficking victims and survivors, the DSWD is holding a number of workshops and capacity-building exercises for the staff of its field offices.
Additionally, the DSWD keeps improving the laws it already has in place and engaging in advocacy work to stop people from falling victim to human trafficking.
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