New Prevalence Study Released: Canada's role in the Online Sexual Exploitation of Children in the Philippines
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Scale of Harm Study
The Scale of Harm study by International Justice Mission, in partnership with the UK’s Nottingham Rights Lab and survivors of online sexual exploitation in the Philippines, estimated that in 2022 alone, nearly half a million Filipino children – or 1 in 100 – were trafficked to produce new child sexual exploitation material. Based on IJM’s experience supporting over 390 operations led by Philippine law enforcement, the abuse usually includes rape, children forced to engage in sex acts with other children and sometimes harmed in other degrading ways, such as in bestiality. The demand for this exploitation comes predominately from western men in countries like the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia.
According to the Philippine Anti Money Laundering Council, since 2015 Canada has consistently ranked 4th in international remittances sent to the Philippines that were flagged for online sexual exploitation of children. While the United States is the top remitter in this study, when scaled for population the results are similar: during the same reporting period, the US sent 2.03 reports per 10,000 population and Canada sent 1.8 reports per 10,000 population. Offenders in Canada are producing and consuming this abuse at the same rate as other nations, and we must act urgently.
Recommendations:
- Develop online safety legislation* to protect children in Canada and abroad in consultation with survivors, law enforcement, and child protection organizations. (*Scale of Harm Report Recommendations)
- Strengthen Canadian law enforcement's access to evidence of child sexual abuse.
- Liaise with Royal Canadian Mounted Police HQ and relevant liaisons to determine gaps related to financial intelligence.
- Increase resourcing for the Philippines Internet Crimes Against Children Center (PICACC).
- Conduct additional internal research to improve understanding of system gaps and opportunities for strengthening legislation.
“In the digital age, computer cameras serve as conduits of connection, fostering the exchange of joy and familial bonds across continents. However, amidst this connectivity lies a harrowing reality for children in the Philippines. For them, the innocuous lens of a computer camera transforms into a sinister weapon wielded by perpetrators within their own communities and beyond borders, reaching into the heart of Canada. This dual nature underscores the urgent need for vigilance and collective action to safeguard the innocence and well-being of our children, redefining the narrative of technology as a force for protection rather than exploitation.”
“Canadian sex offenders pay between 25 to 130 dollars to direct and watch the live-streamed sexual abuse of Filipino children. In fact, despite its relatively small population, Canada is the fourth largest sender of payments flagged as “suspicious transactions” for this horrific global crime. The Canadian government therefore has an urgent responsibility to hold its offenders accountable, protect children online, and increase its investment in finding lasting solutions to this form of human trafficking.”
“It is a national disgrace that Canadians can exploit the most vulnerable of the vulnerable with impunity and anonymity. Law enforcement should be given the tools, the mandate, and the resources to eliminate this scourge.”
“As a survivor who knows the pain of online sexual exploitation, the Scale of Harm study’s findings underscore the urgency for stronger collective action to protect innocent children. Co-designed by survivors, this study is informed by lived experiences. With recommendations involving government, tech and financial companies, civil society organizations, and individuals in our communities, this study marks a crucial step forward.”
“The Philippine government is according high priority on efforts to protect Filipino children from the grave threat of online sexual abuse and exploitation. We have actively engaged civil society, the private sector, and the local communities. We also wish to work closely with the Canadian government and other stakeholders, including IJM Canada, in creating a safer and more secure future for every Filipino child, both online and offline. It is only with robust and comprehensive international cooperation can we successfully put a stop to this type of abuse.”
« C’est une honte que le Canada soit parmi les quatre pays qui envoient le plus d’argent aux Philippines pour profiter de l’exploitation sexuelle en ligne d’enfants vulnérables. Trop de Canadiens sont complices de ces crimes qui détruisent la vie d’enfants à l’autre bout du monde. En tant que pays riche, nous avons le devoir impératif d’en faire davantage, afin que Canadiens qui se cachent derrière des écrans ne puissent plus participer en toute impunité à ce voyeurisme répugnant. »
Scale of Harm Joint Statement
Op-ed: More than "Just Survivors"
IJM's Center to End the Online Sexual Exploitation of Children
IJM Calls on Canada to Take Action to Reduce Online Sexual Exploitation of Children
Internet Freedom can co-exist with Child Protection
Joint Press Conference in Ottawa
International Justice Mission Canada is part of a global organization that protects vulnerable people from violence. IJM partners with local authorities in 29 program offices in 17 countries to combat trafficking, violence against women and children, and other forms of abuse against people in poverty – including the online sexual exploitation of children in the Philippines. IJM and our partners work together to empower survivors of violence, hold perpetrators accountable and help strengthen public justice systems.
For media inquiries and interview requests, please contact:
Maggie Cutrell, Regional Director, Media and Communications, North America.
mcutrell@ijm.org | +1 (478) 955-4666