Anti-child pornography group launched in Cebu

The Anti-Child Pornography Alliance was launched in Cebu yesterday at the Redemptorist Church to combat the rising trend of child pornography in this part of the country.

ACPA-Cebu convenor Lenny Ocasiones said that, with the entry of the group in Cebu, a series of activities and programs will also be conducted here in its drive against child pornography.

ACPA was established last March and it continues to expand to other parts of the country by gathering as many individuals, groups and institutions as possible in its war against child pornography

Ocasiones said that research on child pornography in Cebu showed that children and young people in this situation are those that have access to the Internet and other online technologies.

“This and other forms of pornography such as in magazines and videos gravely undermine our children’s sense of self worth. Child pornography captures the abuse on film, print or video,” Ocasiones said.

Child pornography is a serious crime and a form of sexual exploitation of children, said Ocasiones adding that the matter has been a “clear and present danger” in the Philippine society where foreigners and Filipinos alike took advantage of the vulnerability of poor children and their families.

“For a minimal fee they lure children to pose for sexual purposes. We found out that some net cafes have private rooms where they can pose nude and what makes it more sad is that children as young as seven years of age are persuaded by their peers,’ she said. — Jasmin R. Uy/RAE