Children

     There's never been a more urgent time to rally a call to arms for our biggest responsibility. This year's National Children's Month Theme as November is National Children's Month is "End OSAEC-CSAEM: Fight for the Safety and Rights of Children!" In short, safety is not enough. For those of us who grew up in a world where we had to protect our children with concern for the worst of the worst, we now have to be not just concerned, but worried, about all of that and more, online and with a click of a button. We no longer need to shelter our children from perverts hiding in bushes on the corner; we need to be aware of how to safeguard them from Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Material (CSAEM) - both offenses our children can groom from the safety of their homes and a click of a button.

It's not going to be easy. But the first line of defense the Philippine government has given is Republic Act No. 11930. This newly enacted proposed law is a comprehensive one-stop framework to define the offense, the offenders and what needs to be done to receive maximum life imprisonment - and I mean life imprisonment - for these offenders. Furthermore, it means maximum life imprisonment for the offenders, not punishment - for this comes second to those even given life without parole - best case scenario for international safeguards as the victimized children need access to rescue and immediate psycho-social medical and legal needs - guaranteed since this is more law enforcement and social justice based than offender punishment; restoration of dignity is key.

And thus, where legislation exists, it must be backed by law enforcement. This is where it gets sticky. And this is where the Philippine government has tried to engage all under the NCC-OSAEC-CSAEM, a multidisciplinary critical approach among agencies where everyone from the police tasked with online monitoring for victimized children, to the DSWD who helps survivors get back on their feet and are better equipped with this newly opened up population of survivors.

At the end of the day, it's about resources and education; sustainable budgetary allocations need to be passed so that people can notice signs of abuse, have access technologies readily available and can reach out to children in distress. More than this, it works when people are educated consistently through the archipelago and partner with technological providers for safeguards, awareness at every barangay level, and parents know what to look out for in their homes.

Therefore, National Children's Month has never been a more convincing time, an honored legacy for decades that we all have a stake in preserving a child's dignity. The Philippine government has created a legal avenue where exploitation will not be tolerated; it's up to communities and families to be the first line of defense through awareness and collaboration. It's up to all digital citizens to be aware and take on a community ethos that will not stand for exploitation so that "OSAEC-CSAEM Wakasan" can come true.