Large criminal syndicates no longer dominate sexual exploitation among the youth in the Philippines, as family members and caregivers have become the top perpetrators or recruiters in the online commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC).

A study of cases heard by the Supreme Court (SC) from 2003 to 2024 revealed how child sexual abuse in the country is evolving alongside technological advancements, such as the availability of livestreaming applications. These developments make such crimes more difficult to detect as they often occur within the privacy of homes.

Victims are also becoming younger, with a growing number aged between five and 12 years being exploited for as little as P20.

In the CSEC cases studied, 51 percent of those who committed the crime were women, mostly family members or caregivers of the victims. Out of 160 identified perpetrators, 33 percent were organized by pimps, while others acted as recruiters.

Meanwhile, out of the 85 identified relationships between victims and perpetrators, 46 percent involved strangers introduced by third parties, 17 percent involved family members, 14 percent involved friends, and 12 percent were neighbors.

“While law enforcement efforts have improved, the rise of technology-facilitated exploitation has made these crimes more complex," said lead researcher Dr. Bernadette Madrid, head of the Philippine General Hospital Child Protection Unit (PGH-CPU).

"Enhanced legal measures, digital monitoring, and community awareness are crucial to protect vulnerable children,” she added.

Madrid conducted the study on behalf of Childlight, a global child safety data institute hosted by the University of Edinburgh and the University of New South Wales, and established by the Human Dignity Foundation. Childlight uses academic research to understand the nature and prevalence of child sexual exploitation to support better policy-making.

The study identified urban centers such as Manila, Cebu City, and Angeles City as CSEC hotspots due to poverty, tourism, and increased access to digital platforms.

Families were lured into participation through false job offers, invitations to social gatherings, or direct recruitment into prostitution. Threats and manipulation were common tactics used by recruiters to coerce victims into online sexual abuse.

To combat CSEC, lawmakers passed the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (CSAEM) Act in 2022. The law holds perpetrators, social media platforms, and payment service providers accountable.

As offenders adapt to new technologies, a dynamic response is required to match the evolving nature of online child sexual exploitation.

Key recommendations from the study include implementing community awareness programs in identified CSEC hotspots to help residents recognize and report exploitation. The report also calls for the creation of a unified hotline and referral system for OSAEC cases. Local governments are urged to strictly enforce existing laws, form monitoring teams, and launch public campaigns to prevent CSEC.