Online Sexual Exploitation of Children
Right now, sex offenders around the world – including in Canada – are exploiting children without even leaving their homes.
According to the Philippine Anti-Money Laundering Council, since 2015, Canada has consistently ranked 4th, following the U.S., U.K. and Australia in international payments sent to the Philippines that were flagged for online sexual exploitation of children (OSEC).
In the Philippines, IJM works with local authorities to hold criminals accountable for exploiting children and protect children from being abused in the first place. Around the world, the Centre to End OSEC partners with NGOs, governments and industries to expose and stop this crime.
Change is not only possible, it’s happening from the ground up.
We’ve curated a collection of resources designed to deepen your understanding of IJM’s work in the fight against OSEC and bring your family, friends and community into this global movement to end this crime in our lifetime.
How to rally your community to join the fight against the online sexual exploitation of children
Discussing the online sexual exploitation of children with friends and family is essential for raising awareness and rallying support. Here are some sensitive and thoughtful approaches you can take:
- Start with empathy: Begin by acknowledging the sensitivity of the topic. Let your friends and family know why you’re sharing this information and why this matters to you. Encourage anyone hearing about OSEC for the first time to be intentional in processing what they learned.
- Educate and share resources: Share factual information about the online child sexual exploitation. Share findings from IJM's Scale of Harm study to illustrate the severity of the issue while emphasizing that these are real children facing unimaginable situations. Encourage them to learn more and stay informed. Knowledge empowers people to take meaningful action.
- Share survivor stories: Share stories of rescue and restorations that celebrate victories while acknowledging the ongoing need and urgency.
- Emphasize the need for collective action: The online sexual exploitation of children is not just happening in the Philippines. Countries around the world - including Canada are responsible for the demand. OSEC is a global issue that requires everyone’s commitment to protect children.
- Invite them to take action: Rally your friends and family by suggesting concrete steps they can take. This could include supporting organizations like IJM, attending our events, spreading awareness with their community or organizing a fundraiser.
- Be patient: Understand that not everyone will respond immediately or passionately. Some may need time to process the information. Be patient, and respect their feelings and boundaries.
- Be encouraged: IJM, alongside with many partners and global organizations, are working tirelessly to end this crime. We are fully confident that we will see a time when children in the Philippines are protected from OSEC.
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This rapidly growing crime of online sexual exploitation destroys the lives of innocent children. It is happening and not just in the Philippines. We do not have time to waste. We must help. We must act, and now is the time.
- Ruby*, Survivor leader
IJM's latest breaking news stories and work with local partners:
Over A Decade of Partnership: A Brief History of the IJM Canada-Philippines Connection
Where Passion and Skills Intersect to do Justice in the Philippines
IJM Calls on Canada to Take Action to Reduce Online Sexual Exploitation of Children
Strengthening Prevention & Response to Canadian Online Sexual Abuse of Filipino Children
Playing Your Part is All You Need to Make an Impact
Not Swift Enough: Survivors and Children Wait for Government, Industry to Act
Trafficker Gets Four Life Sentences for Online Sexual Exploitation of Children
1 in 100 Children Sexually Exploited in Livestreams, New Abuse Images and Videos in the Philippines Last Year, Driven by Foreign Demand
Meet Survivors
MEET AARON*
Aaron survived what no two years old child should ever have to go through.
Aaron’s abuse was directed and livestreamed through a screen just like this one, by predators around the world. Today, Aaron is safe in a loving foster home and receiving ongoing trauma therapy. His foster parents shared, "Aaron says that we are his home, and this is where he feels safest."
*stock image.
MEET JOY*
A woman she trusted invited Joy and her friends into her home, but something felt wrong.
When Joy was eight, her parents separated, and she began staying with relatives and neighbours. Joy was 10 years old when her abuse began. Seven years after Joy was first exploited, IJM learned of her abuse and partnered with police to rescue Joy and 15 other children and arrest the perpetrator.
MEET MALONE*
Malone was in third grade when he was forced to pose naked in front of a camera.
And later, his aunt and uncle sexually exploited him. The content was recorded and sold online to paying sex offenders. After an investigation, and with support from IJM, the perpetrators were arrested and a team of determined social workers, law enforcement officers and IJM staff rescued Malone and 12 other children who were trapped with him.
MEET RUBY*
Ruby, an IJM Survivor Leader, has long been a fierce advocate to end OSEC.
Her extraordinary story and powerful voice has been brought masterfully to life in a gripping true crime podcast called The Fight of My Life: Finding Ruby. In October 2023, we were honoured to host Ruby at a Freedom Sunday event with Village Church in Surrey, BC where she courageously shared her powerful testimony.
MEET ZOEY*
At eight years old, Zoey was tricked to join online conversations with foreign men.
For four years, Zoey was sexually abused by her four elder sisters. Years later, Swedish authorities arrested a perpetrator, and digital forensic evidence revealed that he was talking to multiple abusers in the Philippines – including Zoey’s sisters. Zoey, then 17, was rescued, and IJM’s team walked alongside her.
MEET CASSIE*
Cassie was 12 years old when a trusted family friend deceived her into moving to Manila.
Cassie moved from her childhood home in the countryside to Manila. "He told me that he can help me to reach all of my dreams,” she remembers, and at first she enjoyed her new life in a big city. Then the abuse began. After nearly five years of abuse, Cassie was rescued along with five other children.