The third iteration of the OSAEC WIPE Out Advanced Ver. 3.0 (Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children – Workshop Investigators and Prosecutors against Exploitation) held from November 25 to November 29, 2024 was successfully concluded in Bacolod City – bringing together key stakeholders in the fight against Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC). The event was organized by the National Coordination Center Against Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children and Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Materials (NCC-OSAEC-CSAEM), in collaboration with the DOJ-IACAT-Region XI Anti-Trafficking Task Force.

The training, which focused on equipping prosecutors and law enforcers with the advanced skills needed for effective case build-up and prosecution of OSAEC and CSAEM cases was attended by prosecutors and law enforcement officers from Regions 3, 4A, 5, 11, and 12. Over the course of the four-day training, participants engaged in intensive workshops covering critical topics such as digital forensics, evidence handling, and strategies for successful prosecution of online child exploitation cases.

This advanced module of the OSAEC-WIPE Out Project builds on the success of previous trainings, following iterations of ten basic modules and two of the advanced modules. The OSAEC-WIPE Out Project has become a cornerstone initiative in enhancing the capabilities of legal professionals and law enforcement agencies in responding to the increasing threat of online sexual abuse or exploitation of children.

During the opening ceremonies, Assistant Secretary Eliseo Cruz delivered a powerful message emphasizing the importance of collaboration and capacity-building in the fight against OSAEC and CSAEM, which remains one of the most pressing challenges in child protection today.

“This training plays a vital role in strengthening our collective efforts to protect children from online abuse and exploitation. By empowering our prosecutors and law enforcers with the right knowledge and skills, we can build stronger cases and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice,” – Asec. Eliseo DC. Cruz.

To conclude the whole training, OIC-Executive Director Barbara Mae Pagdilao-Flores gave an inspiring call to action message, urging the participants to become a WIPEOut OSAEC Warriors by applying the knowledge and skills they had gained as investigators and prosecutors, by sharing their expertise and learning with peers, and being advocates against Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC).

Indeed, the success of the OSAEC WIPE Out Advanced ver. 3.0 reinforces the commitment of all the involved parties to continue the development and effectiveness of investigations and prosecutions, ensuring a safer environment for children both online and offline.