Written by Ma. Christine de Vera
ABS-CBN Foundation Bantay Bata 163 opened National Children’s Month by launching The Filipino Child: National Dialogue on Child Protection. Emphasizing the importance of collective action to safeguard children’s welfare, the webinar anchored on combatting online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC).
Hosted by Edric Calma from Knowledge Channel Foundation, the webinar gave partners, students, parents, and teachers alike a platform to discuss child protection in the digital world. The event was graced by ABS-CBN Foundation Managing Director Roberta Lopez-Feliciano and Berge Bulk Senior Sustainability Executive Franz Duclan.
“By facilitating discussions like this, we provide a platform for children, parents, and the community to collectively raise awareness about the importance of navigating the online world safely. These conversations are instrumental in ensuring that children are shielded from potential exploitation and harm in the online space,” Mr. Franz Duclan expressed.
Opening the webinar, Levi Ambon-Rota, ABS-CBN Foundation Bantay Bata 163 Program Head highlighted the benefits as well as the potential dangers of internet use by children. Parental supervision is thus key to ensure child protection from threats like online sexual abuse and grooming.
To further support caregivers, Donnie Ray Alolor from World Hope International Philippines introduced the audience to OSAEC warning signs and the corresponding actions that must be taken.
This webinar makes apparent the lasting impact of collective action on OSAEC. As Dolores Rubia, Director of Nation Aftercare Development from International Justice Mission shared, “Effective, collaborative, and trauma informed justice systems protect not just the rescued victims. Millions of others will never be abused because of the different impact of their work.”
The webinar serves as a crucial step towards building informed communities that recognize the shared responsibility of safeguarding children from the possible harm of the digital world, and creating a safer, healthier world
WATCH THE WEBINAR HERE: https://web.facebook.com/bantaybata163PH/videos/300760369588726/
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