PAP Joins Senate Probe on Alarming Rise of Online Child Exploitation

The Philippine Association of Psychologists (PAP) participated as a resource person in the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality’s inquiry into the surge of online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC) and child sexual abuse and exploitation materials (CSAEM). The hearing, led by Senator Risa Hontiveros, was held on April 3, 2025.

PAP emphasized the vital role psychologists play in supporting survivors through trauma-informed interventions. The association also raised concern over the growing prevalence of OSAEC and CSAEM, further intensified by the misuse of artificial intelligence technologies.

Among the most distressing findings was the identification of a victim as young as one year old, with the majority of cases involving children under the age of twelve.

The PAP affirmed its commitment to bolstering intervention efforts and expanding community engagement to protect and assist affected children.  ---