IN celebration of 2018 National Children’s Month which is observed every November, the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Central Visayas (DSWD-7) has campaigned against Online Sexual Exploitation to Children (OSEC) and Child Pornography to four schools in Lapu-Lapu City and Cordova, Cebu last November 6 and 7, 2018.
On November 6, the DSWD team went to Babag I Elementary School and Babag National High School. The following day, November 7, the team also visited Ibabao Elementary School and Cordova National High School.
The activity aimed to promote prevention of the proliferation of cases on different kinds of child abuse and the risk of irresponsible use of different social media sites or internet to children.
A total of 133 students aged 10-17 years old, mostly Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries joined the activity.
The participants viewed an informative animated movie that involves child-trafficking and child pornography. The students shared what they felt after watching the movie Red Leaves Falling. “I am sad. I am angry,” said Shane, 12. “I pity the child. I almost cry,” Mark, 12, also said.
Carolina Nuyda, Project Development Officer (PDO) III of DSWD-Led Inter-Agency Council, discussed to the student participants the significance of promotion and protection of children’s rights especially the right to protection of a child from sexual exploitation including prostitution and the use of children in pornographic materials. She also highlighted the Online Safety Tips to prevent Online Sexual Exploitation of Children and Child Pornography.
Nuyda told the children to refrain from watching and sharing any materials with sexual graphics especially if there are children involved as it is prohibited under the the Anti-Child Pornography Law.
At the end of the activity, student participants were asked important takeaways from the discussion that they may be able to share to others. “If someone needs help, we should help them. Their cry for help should not fall on deaf ears,” said James, 10. /PR