OSAEC- Online Sexual Abuse ……

Read to Grow OSAEC (Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children) Awareness

When we saw the movie “Sound of Freedom” last May 2023, God the Holy Spirit has put into our hearts to integrate the teaching of Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Awareness with our Read to Grow (literacy) classes. God showed us that it was a very strategic move since we already have 20 Read to Grow groups meeting every weekend.   What a good opportunity it is because the children, with the permission of their parents, are already attending regular RTG classes in their communities.

Unlike in public schools where OSAEC awareness meeting involves a lot of bureaucracy, our RTG classes are held in poor communities, where pastors and their wives, Christian teachers, church leaders and student volunteers are helping. Even volunteer moms and dads in the community are helping.

Early this year, in March 2024, MEANS in partnership with two Philippine NGOs held our first RTG OSAEC Workshop in Bacolod City, Philippines. It was participated by about 62 people to include all leaders of RTG classes in Negros Occidental. Many eyes were opened to see how Filipino children should be protected from being sexually abused by predators.   Many were encouraged to take preventive steps to save our children from physical and sexual online abuse.

It was established that RTG OSAEC (Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children) Awareness  be held every 4th weekend of each month. The curriculum would include teaching from the comics, “Sabihing Ayaw. Huwag Magsekreto”, by volunteer teachers.

To instill in the minds of the children sexual abuse awareness, volunteer teachers will teach and thoroughly explain, even citing examples, the pictures from the comics. Supplemental materials will be taught to emphasize OSAEC awareness.

What a privilege it is for MEANS to be able to participate in protecting the future of the Filipino children.  We covet your prayers for us that God will bless this endeavor. 

Thank you very much for your partnership.

Lina Padilla and Carmena Cruz