From lived experience to advocacy, hear the story of Filipina survivor leader Barbie and how she is using her voice to support fellow survivors and advocate for stronger protections for children against online sexual exploitation.
Key Points
- Barbie was 14 when she and her sisters experienced online sexual exploitation by a relative. Today, she is a survivor leader with the Philippine Survivor Network, advocating for stronger child protection.
- According to the Scale of Harm study conducted by International Justice Mission (IJM) and the University of Nottingham Rights Lab, an estimated one in every 100 children in the Philippines was trafficked in 2022 to produce new child sexual exploitation material, including images, recorded videos and livestreams.
- Barbie has taken her advocacy beyond the Philippines, speaking with government leaders and policymakers, including in Australia, to amplify the mission of survivor leaders and advocate for stronger action to protect children.
- IJM Australia CEO David Braga said Australia has an important role to play, particularly through measures aimed at strengthening online safety.
A warning to our audience: This story contains sensitive discussions of child sexual abuse and online exploitation that some listeners may find distressing.
What keeps me motivated is remembering why I started. I know there are still many children who need protection and many survivors who need someone to remind them that they are not alone.Barbie, Survivor leader from the Philippine Survivor Network
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Authorities encourage the public to report suspected online child abuse or exploitation material to the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation through its Report Abuse platform.
For crisis support and counselling, children and young people can contact Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800.
Philippine National Police-Women and Children Protection Center (PNP-WCPC) has a 24/7 official Facebook page where incidents of abuse, trafficking, and online sexual exploitation of children can be reported: https://www.facebook.com/wcpc.didmpnp
