By Xander Ledesma
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Central Visayas has stepped up efforts to assist survivors of commercial and online child exploitation in the region, providing them with various forms of support and rehabilitation services.
According to DSWD records, 39 survivors of commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) and 18 victims of online sexual abuse or exploitation of children (OSAEC) were aided in 2024. They received psychosocial counseling, educational assistance, livelihood support, medical aid, and temporary shelter at facilities managed by the DSWD, such as the Home for Girls and the Regional Haven for Women.
DSWD-7 Director Shalaine Marie Lucero said these measures underscore the agency’s commitment to helping survivors recover and reintegrate into society. She also noted that the department maintains partnerships with law enforcement agencies to ensure the safe rescue of victims and the uninterrupted operation of care centers adhering to quality standards.
“We will never stop advocating for the elimination of these activities in our communities,” Lucero stated.
In addition to direct services, the DSWD collaborated with educational institutions and other stakeholders to raise awareness on online safety and potential threats. Five “Safer Internet Caravans” were conducted in Cebu and Bohol toward the end of 2024, reaching 479 junior high school students. The initiative, carried out in partnership with the Department of Education, World Hope International, and the Commission on Filipinos Overseas, focused on internet best practices, privacy concerns, and effective ways of reporting illegal activities.
DSWD continues to call on local communities, civil society groups, and national agencies to support ongoing efforts to safeguard children from exploitation and abuse, both in physical spaces and online.