Iligan city: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) congratulated the local government of Iligan City in Lanao del Norte for supporting the fight against online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC) through the pilot launch of 'Project SAFE.' Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao stated that Project SAFE is designed to enhance prevention, protection, recovery, and reintegration mechanisms for children victimized by OSAEC, while also preventing revictimization.

According to Philippines News Agency, the DSWD is collaborating with Iligan City to pilot Project SAFE, which offers a comprehensive model for assisting victim-survivors and their families, as well as preventing OSAEC and the production of child sexual abuse or exploitation materials (CSAEM). The DSWD spokesperson emphasized the importance of this initiative in a statement on Wednesday.

Project SAFE intends to provide technical support and capacity-building activities to selected local government units (LGUs) to implement Trauma Informed Care (TIC) and other necessary interventions for OSAEC victim-survivors, their families, and parent-substitutes. The project also prioritizes digital safety awareness, improving OSAEC reporting and case management systems, providing healing services, and ensuring safe reintegration into families and communities.

The initiative targets child victim-survivors of OSAEC and CSAEM, newly rescued and active cases, out-of-school children, and in-school learners from Grades 3 to 12. Secondary clients include parents, guardians, legal or kinship carers, foster carers, and the broader community.

In addition to the LGUs, Dumlao noted that the DSWD will seek assistance from its attached agencies- the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) and the National Authority for Child Care (NACC)-for further technical support. The CWC manages the MAKABATA Helpline 1343, a 24/7 system for addressing and monitoring issues concerning children in need of special protection, including OSAEC victim-survivors. The NACC will assist in providing alternative child care services such as foster and kinship care.

Besides Iligan City, the DSWD plans to pilot launch Project SAFE in Angeles City in Pampanga and Cebu City by the end of December.