Awareness key in war vs porn, Radaza says

CEBU, Philippines – Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza expressed her support to the celebration of the 22nd National Children's Month where she emphasized the awareness and cooperation of stakeholders in the prevention of cyberporn operations and prostitution.

"A simple click is all what it takes to get something, to keep in touch with someone, and to get into places," she said during the forum on "Child Cyber-Prostitution: Highlighting Programs, Services and Initiatives of the Duty Bearers and Service Providers."

Radaza explained that the Internet has been helpful in children's school research and said this modern technology did not exist in the past generation where a simple calculator was already considered a luxury.

"It has been tough preventing and fighting crimes," she added. The mayor said the confidence of the anonymous perpetrators lurking behind the walls of free Internet are disturbing, thus triggering to impact on the innocence of the young and the naïve.

She said poverty has pushed the children to cybersex and prostitution and children are the most affected by the cyber-world crimes.

The mayor recalled that few months ago, she and Representative Aileen Radaza initiated a call to stop cybersex and prostitution and adopted a slogan, "I am not for sale", a stand against abuses and exploitation last March 3 this year during the celebration of Women's Month.

The intensive information dissemination has reached to the barangay level, she said. The drive is held in cooperation with the City's Social Welfare and Development Office, the Philippine National Police, Department of Education and non-government organizations.

She said support groups such as International Justice Mission and the Children's Legal Bureau have been effective partners in the battle against cybercrime, aside from people's organizations and civil society groups.

Concerned citizens are participating, according to Radaza, and "victims even voluntarily approached us and availed our help and support." She said the victims also give them leads to the prostitution culprits.

She recalled the Australian national who preyed on several children who is now charged in court while the victims are placed under home care for debriefing and psychological intervention. Parents also underwent counseling.

This Friday, a State of Children's Report is set to be delivered 2 p.m. at the Hoops Dome in Barangay Gun-ob where students are expected to attend.

Last year's address did not push through because of the magnitude 7.2 earthquake.