A study that showed nearly half a million Filipino children fell victim to online sexual abuse and exploitation in 2022 alone was presented during a Senate hearing.
It was also disclosed that Artificial Intelligence through bots or an online app can be used to “undress” photos of victims.
In a “24 Oras” report by Ian Cruz, the study conducted by the International Justice Mission Philippines and the University of Nottingham in 2022 showed 500,000 children are victims of online sexual abuse and exploitation and that there are many cases that remain unreported.
“Ruby (not her real name),” a survivor of online sexual abuse, was emotional when she testified before the Senate as she called on other victims to speak about their experiences.
“If I can do it, believe in yourself that you can do it too,” she said.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said Filipino children are targets of online predators because of widespread poverty and many are always online that makes transactions easier.
“Filipinos are good in communicating in English, so this is another factor,” said DSWD Usec. Emmeline Villar.
In the 2022 study, 74% of local facilitators of online child sexual abuse are relatives or acquaintances of the victims.
“For every trafficker, there are more or less 3 child victims. These traffickers are usually relatives or people known to the victims,” said Atty. Samson Incencio, International Justice Mission of the Philippines.
A.I. undress
Cybersecurity experts from Deep Web Connect warned that some online applications now have the ability to digitally undress individuals in photos, further exacerbating the dangers faced by children.
“Ngayon nagigimbal ako dahil may undress AI pala. Pwedeng hubaran gamit ang AI ang batang iyon at ibenta ang pictures sa internet subscription pa. Sobrang nakaka-shock, sobrang nakakagalit,” said Senator Risa Hontiveros, who sits as the committee chairperson on women, children, family relations, and gender equality.
(Now I’m shocked because there’s an undress AI. That kid/ can be undressed using AI and sell the pictures on the internet subscription. It’s so shocking, it’s so upsetting.) — Sherylin Untalan/BAP, GMA Integrated News
