A report from the Norwegian National Criminal Investigation Service (Kripos) shows that a significant portion of sexual abuse ordered online takes place in the Philippines, with underage minors being the main victims. The report, dated October 23, highlights the alarming prevalence of “direct order-based sexual abuse” (DOBO) in the country. In this practice, buyers exploit minors at their request via livestreaming.
The study identifies several factors contributing to the high concentration of DOBO cases in the Philippines. These factors include the legacy of commercial sex industries, the country’s reputation as a global sex market and its appeal to traveling sex offenders. The widespread use of English, a well-developed internet infrastructure, cultural influences and easily accessible payment options also play an important role.
While the report emphasizes the Philippines as a hub for online sexual abuse, it suggests that DOBO transactions in other countries might play out differently. “Countries with populations that speak other world languages, such as French and Spanish, can purchase DOBO in developing countries where these languages are widely spoken,” the report said.
The investigation focuses on cases involving Norwegian buyers between 2011 and 2017 and classifies DOBO as live-streamed sexual abuse of minors. In these cases, buyers not only pay for the actions, but also provide specific instructions on how to carry out the abuse, often negotiating the terms in advance.
Kripos classifies DOBO as organized crime due to the frequent collaboration between multiple vendors, who share resources and exploit children within their networks. The report states: “A network of individuals work together to facilitate the sale of DOBO, often arising from personal relationships such as kinship and friendship.”
Exploitation and victimhood
The report highlights disturbing statistics about the victims. Many sellers often have family ties to the minors involved. 41% of sellers are the victims’ biological parents, while 42% are other family members. During multi-child rescue operations, 40% of the children were siblings and 13% had other family ties. The average age for rescued victims is 11 years, with 86% being girls and 14% boys.
Financial desperation emerges as the main driver behind these abuses. Interviews conducted by the Swiss children’s rights organization Terre des Hommes indicate that poverty forces some families to sell their children for DOBO. Many victims come from households where parents have separated and are experiencing serious financial problems and difficulty meeting basic needs.
The recruitment of sellers remains unclear, but messages exchanged between sellers and DOBO buyers suggest that many sellers are the victim’s mother or a neighbor. The report found that “all children interviewed reported feeling dirty, ashamed and embarrassed, both during and after DOBO abuse.” Many feared arrest or feared that their online actions would haunt them forever.
The global context
The report also notes that Norway is among the countries with the highest numbers of DOBO buyers per capita. Authorities approximately identified 600 Norwegians as potential DOBO buyers January 2018 and January 2023. Because perpetrators often commit multiple crimes each year, it is suspected that the actual number of victims is considerably higher.
As the world grapples with the horrors of child exploitation, discussions about responsibility, prevention measures and support for victims remain crucial. Philstar.com has contacted the Ministry of Justice, which runs the National Coordination Center against Online Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation, for comment on the report’s findings. However, no response has been received yet.
Source: Phil Star