With the increasing number of children victims of online sexual violence, in 2017, the World Vision Philippines launched its worldwide campaign, “It takes a world to end sexual exploitation of children”
The 3-year campaign aims to reach three million children and to protect them from sexual exploitation and other forms of online and offline abuse.
Based on the Philippine National Baseline Study on Violence against Children, 1 in every 10 children is a victim of sexual a violence. A staggering large population, that is further increasing due to ready accessibility of the internet and rapid technological advancements.
In line with the campaign’s philosophy, World Vision is looking to partner with like-minded individuals, organisations, communities, and influencers. Two of which are the International Justice Mission (IJM) and the Compassion International Philippines (CIPH), with both wanting to put an end to the rising online sexual exploitation of children (OSEC). Aside from opening a dialogue on OSEC, the partnership between parties further aims to prevent this kind of violence wherever it occurs so no child has to experience it, work with survivors, strengthening the systems and services available to them to ensure they have the chance to heal and recover, and amplify their stories and voices.
And to formalise such partnership, these three organisations agreed to develop and sign a memorandum of agreement as they recognise that a collaborative effort between them would be of greater benefit than working apart.
“It takes a world to end OSEC, that’s why we’re igniting a movement of people from all walks of life, and partnering with people of faith, corporate organisations, communities, political leaders and families to end this injustice,” says World Vision Philippines.