Fighting Cybersex Trafficking

Cybersex Trafficking

A form of modern slavery that was unimaginable before the digital age, cybersex trafficking - or online sexual exploitation of children – sees real children sexually abused in real time for predators and paedophiles to watch online.

Over half of the victims rescued in IJM cases are 1-12 years old

Victims can be exploited in any location with the computer and internet - or just a mobile phone

Philippine authorities are already receiving thousands of referrals a month

A young boy dreams of being a superhero. But those who should protect him, don’t. He cannot escape the evil in his home.

This is Maarko's story.

4:14

In partnership with local law enforcement, we have rescued more than 1,275 children and women from sex trafficking in the Philippines. Sex trafficking has plummeted between 75% and 86% in the cities we have worked.

Before the internet, customers looking to abuse children had to travel to the Philippines.

Traffickers recruited vulnerable teenagers and coerced them to work in bars or clubs. But now with the rise of cybersex trafficking, paedophiles and predators can enter the homes of Filipino children through a simple internet connection. Tragically, victims tend to be young—some under 2 years old—and the traffickers are often beloved family members who earn quick cash by betraying the trust of children in their care.

Since IJM started working in the Philippines in 2000, the government has made rapid strides to stop traffickers from exploiting children in the commercial sex trade—closing bars that sell children for sex and bringing pimps to justice.

Studies have shown the number of children available for purchase on streets and in bars once notorious for sex trafficking has plummeted between 75% and 86% in the cities where IJM has worked.

Now the authorities need specialised training on cybersex related investigations and how to care for young survivors of cybersex trafficking.

This crime will keep spreading until communities start to see consequences and traffickers responsible for the sexual exploitation of children are restrained.

Rescue Victims

We partner with Philippine officials and international law enforcement agencies to identify and rescue children who are being sexually exploited in footage broadcast online.

Bring Criminals to Justice

We collaborate with government prosecutors to ensure cybersex traffickers and others facilitating the abuse are brought to justice under Philippine laws.

Restoring Survivors

We create customised care plans for each survivor, and we work with the government social services agency and private aftercare providers to ensure children have a safe place to grow up in freedom.

The number of children available for commercial sex plummeted by 86% in the four years that IJM worked alongside authorities in Pampanga.

The number of children available for commercial sex plummeted by 75% in Metro Manila, after seven years of IJM's work alongside authorities.

After four years of IJM's partnership with local authorities in Cebu, the Philippines, outside auditors documented a stunning 79% decrease in the availability of children for commercial sex.

When 12-year-old Cassie moved to Manila, she had big dreams.

But what she found there was a nightmare. She was raped in front of a camera for a paying audience.

Will you send rescue to children like Cassie?

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