In Response to the Perils of Dark Web, Iligan City’s Collaborative Mechanism to Combat Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC)
List of Authors
  • Brian Ven Climaco Bag-ao

Keyword
  • NoC-MDT, OSAEC Prevention, OSAEC Protection, OSAEC Prosecution, Collaboration

Abstract
  • This study investigates inter-agency collaborative mechanism to combat Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) in Iligan City, Philippines, a recognized hotspot for such cases. The city has established a Network of Care-Multidisciplinary Team (NoC-MDT) tasked with the prevention, protection, and prosecution of OSAEC cases. Utilizing descriptive statistics, this research explores the city government’s institutionalized anti-OSAEC Committee. Objectively assesses members' awareness of the nature and characteristics of OSAEC, their roles, programs, and services, and evaluates the levels of collaboration between and among agency representatives. A total of forty-four (44) members of the NoC-MDT participated in the research. Findings indicate that committee members possess a high level of awareness of OSAEC's nature and their respective responsibilities. The NoC-MDT demonstrates a significant degree of collaboration across various functions, particularly in medical needs, legal services, education, and advocacy. And it is worth noting to emphasize that the Iligan City Multi-disciplinary team reached the range of coordination in the levels of collaboration. As interpreted in this study, ‘coordination” means that the existing mechanism between and amongst the national, local, and barangay government agencies and units, as well as non-government organizations, involved fewer agencies in their collaborative work. Some of the representatives of the agencies involved have less clarity of roles and functions in the prevention, prosecution, and protection mechanisms. Resources/budget in response to OSAEC are shared by the participating agencies, adding to the city government’s fund allocation for rescue and other operating expenses.

Reference
  • No Data Recorded