EMAIL FROM MAAM JO OF ECPAT

07 March 2009

Dear Friends: Children’s sexual exploitation is redefined with technology itself opening new dimensions of their further victimization if left unchecked or unregulated. ECPAT (2005) cites the following harms that cyberspace brings to children and young people: 1) production, distribution and use of materials depicting child sexual abuse; 2) online solicitation or ‘grooming’ (securing a child’s trust in order to draw them into a situation where they may be harmed); 3) exposure to: age-inappropriate, illegal or harmful materials which can cause psychological harm, lead to physical harm, or facilitate some other detriment to a child or young person; and 4) harassment and intimidation, including bullying. ECPAT, in cooperation with the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT)-National Cyber Security Office, the Information Systems Security Society of the Philippines (ISSP) and UNICEF, will hold the Sub-national Conference of Internet Café Owners against Child Pornography on Tuesday, March 10, 2009 at the Bayview Park Hotel, Manila. The conference carries the theme “Making Cyberspace Safe for Children’. We are pleased to invite you to watch it live from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM by clicking on this link: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/ecpat Target Participants include the following: Internet Café Shop Owners IT software/hardware vendors, ISPs, mobile and telecommunications companies, credit card and fund transfer companies IT professionals (groups & individuals) IT schools & students Policy makers Children & YP Secretary Ray Anthony Roxas-Chua III, chairman, CICT will give the Keynote Speech while Sen. Jamby Madrigal and Rep. Matias Defensor, will present the Senate and House versions of the Anti-Child Pornography bills. JOSEFINA ENCENSO ALFORQUE Coordinator Advocacy & Campaigns ECPAT PHILIPPINES End Child Prostitution Child Pornography and the Trafficking of Children for Sexual Purposes 143 V. Luna Rd. Ext. Anonas Sikatuna Village, Diliman Quezon City Tel : +632 9208151 or +632 441 5108 Fax: +632 9299642