Addressing OSAEC Locally Through Trainings

by World Hope International | Mar 24, 2022 | Countering Human Trafficking & Gender-Based Violence, Philippines, Protection

The prevalence of Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) has exponentially increased in recent years, affecting children as young as a few months old, and World Hope International has been working in the Philippines to address it through several projects – PAVE II and OSEC Research and Response. But this work cannot be accomplished alone; local communities as well as caregivers, organisations, and government entities all have a role to play in creating effective change. That is why the World Hope team co-hosted a series of trainings at the end of 2021.

On November 23rd and 24th at the end of last year (2021), World Hope International conducted a Game-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (GBCBT) Training in partnership with the Sexual Violence and Research Initiative (SVRI) and The Salvation Army (TSA). The objective? To help the 14 participants from eight different NGOs understand what GBCBT is, how it works, why it is so significant, and how to properly use it.

After an introduction to the concept of GBCBT. The first session, Rapport Building was then conducted. Here, Ms. Dulawan first explained the objectives for the first sessions. Mr. Cabredo then proceeded with a demonstration on how it is conducted. This includes introduction, skill skit, game demonstration, processing and giving of assignment. The three guidelines were also taught: Be Active, Be Polite, and Be Responsible. Once the demonstration was concluded, Ms. Dulawan gave feedback and practical reminders to the group. She then discussed about the reward system which will be used throughout the sessions.

Since the aim of the training is to teach skills related to GBCBT and group therapy, participants were paired up and are given tasks for demonstrations.

“Healing and recovery can be facilitated better with the use of GB-CBT. Learning can be fun and also structured at the same time,” said Maribel Ardales, a social worker from Hospicio De San Jose, when asked about her takeaways from this training.

Game-Based Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (GBCBT) 2

Game-Based Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (GBCBT) 4

“We will be utilising the GB-CBT in the healing and recovery program for the children victim-survivors of OSEC and other forms of abuse. With a little assistance, I am confident that we can implement the GB-CBT in the first quarter of 2022.”

“In this training, I was amazed when I realized that game-based activities are also effective and essential in helping survivors. It broadened my understanding and skills in dealing with our clients. Thank you very much, WHI for this opportunity.”

~ Mary Grace Abata

Social Worker, Shechem Children’s Home

Game-Based Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (GBCBT) 6

Maribel also added that she was “able to learn a lot without getting bored with the schedule or overwhelmed with the information. The method used, a little discussion then more on practice, and the timing was great. It was also helpful that the group was small enough to allow each to practice.”

In fact, for Maribel the training “was also a breather for us social workers; it was my first time going out for such activity since March 2020.”

SAFE SPACE: Trauma First-Aid Response

In implementing prevention activities to counter OSAEC in communities, the World Hope team identified a need for strengthening the capacity of local communities to respond to abuse cases of children. How can they adequately address the children’s needs and link them to resources in the community that will eventually lead to their healing and recovery?

The training was held in partnership with The Salvation Army and the British Embassy of Manila from December 7-8, 2021, to help communities precisely do this. Over two days, the 45 attendees of this training covered topics:

Review of Child Protection (Theresa M. Lape, RSW)
Trauma and Its Dynamics (Sr. Nida Viovicente)
Case Management Protocols (Brenda Abilo, RSW)
Communication Principles when Dealing with Children (Adesty Dulawan-Ting, RPsy)
Core Action: Look- Creative Strategies to Engage a Child, Establishing Safety and Comfort and Stabilizing a Distressed Child (Adesty Dulawan- Ting, RPsy)
Core Action: Listen- Gathering Information and Handling Disclosures; Attending the Immediate Needs and Concerns; Core Action: Link- Connecting with Social Support; Linkages to Collaborative Services (Dr. Annabelle G. Maglasang)
Coping Activities (Adesty Dulawan- Ting, RPsy)

After completing all these sessions on the second afternoon, the participants were for a simulation of what they learned during the two days of training. The role play comprised the whole rescue process highlighting their roles and how they should respond to these cases as barangay front liners using TFAR. Each group was given five minutes to discuss and collaborate with their respective teams and was then given 10 minutes each to present. The presentation demonstrated a heightened knowledge of the referral protocols, like what to do as soon as they have been informed of a case and the need for active listening and empathetic responding.

“The training helped a lot, especially since this is my first time hearing these kinds of abuses (OSAEC). As a community leader, it is my duty to protect the future of the children. I’ve learned through this training, that we need to be more sensitive to traumatized children and do our best to help them. Thank you for this training.”

~Anonymous Participant of SAFE SPACES - First Aid Trauma Response Training

Both online and offline, child abuse and sexual exploitation lead to psychological changes and dysfunctional coping mechanisms. The trauma survivors can suffer from these consequences also in adulthood, and sometimes they require lifetime mental health treatment. For this reason, it is fundamental to ensure adequate support and therapy for the survivors based on evidence-based approaches. The training sessions focused on prevention and intervention courses and how the latest findings should guide local communities and NGOs in structuring more programs to prevent online sexual exploitation of children.

World Hope International firmly believes that the fight against OSAEC requires new thinking, innovative approaches, and first-hand global awareness of the importance of listening to children and their needs.

When asked about the overall experience of the training, one participant said, “Psychological First Aid is really important when it comes to trauma victims. One must have active-listening skills when doing PFA. As a BCPC member, I gained more ideas on how to implement this in our barangay. I hope that you (WHI) continue to spread what you have shared with us today.”

World Hope International has been working in the Philippines to address OSAEC through several projects. Learn more about PAVE II and our OSEC Research and Response.

You can also make a gift today to The Hope Fund, which allows us to work where and when it matters.