life Inside issue 10
Freeing children from exploitation LIFE FOR CHILDREN AND THOSE WHO CARE FOR THEM Responding to child trafďŹ cking in Nepal Light and life for Filipino children Tips to keep your children safer online
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EDITORIAL It’s hard to tackle a monster in the dark. You just don’t know how big it is or what you’re dealing with. So many monsters shrink when you shine a light on them. Child exploitation, online sexual abuse and grooming are some of the monsters that Viva and our partner networks stand against. These issues have a greater hold on children when adults are either in the dark or turn a blind eye to them. It is only when these issues are brought into the light, and shown for what they are, that these monsters begin to weaken and break down. In the Philippines our partner network, PCMN, is taking a stand within what UNICEF describes as “the global epicentre of the livestream sexual abuse trade” manifested in the online sexual exploitation of children (OSEC). By empowering and training youth advocates and adopting a cross-sectorial approach, PCMN is bringing this issue to light and encouraging children, parents, teachers, pastors and local government to all say, “we cannot close our eyes to this.” We too should not ignore it. The greatest demand for the online sexual abuse of children comes from the West. We too have a responsibility to shine a light on this issue.
‘Shining Lights’ is our Christmas Match Appeal this year, where your generosity will bring child exploitation into the light. Please fill in the form enclosed or give online (viva.org/christmasappeal) to take a stand. You can learn more about this work on pages 4-6. Also, read on page 3 & 7 about how pastors are raising awareness of child trafficking in Nepal and how churches in Lebanon are providing education as an alternative to child labour. And turn to pages 8-9 for practical ways you can keep children safe online. Thank you for joining us in being bearers of light. Best wishes
Rachael Ma Office and Fundraising Manager
We are an international Christian charity passionate about releasing children from poverty and abuse. We grow locally-led networks who are committed to working together so that children are safe, well and able to fulfil their God-given potential.
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Last year, Viva reached 2.2 million children by partnering with 38 networks and working in 26 countries. Find out more at viva.org
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FREEING CHILDREN FROM EXPLOITATION
RESPONDING
Church leaders in Nuwakot plan the next steps to tackle trafficking
TO CHILD TRAFFICKING IN NEPAL Earlier this year, Viva’s partner network CarNet Nepal co-hosted a threeday conference aimed at envisioning pastors from 48 churches in the Nuwakot district to respond to the issues of human trafficking in their communities.
jobs in the cities so they can send money back to their families. The girls, however, are often then imprisoned in brothels and forced to provide sex to the brothel’s clients.
As many as 10,000 Nepali women and girls are trafficked across the border to India each year with an estimated 100,000-200,000 Nepali trafficked persons currently living in India.
For almost all the participants, this was their very first experience of hearing about the role of the Church to respond to trafficking issues.
Sindhupalchok and Nuwakot districts have the highest rates of trafficking in the country. There is a high migration of children, young girls and families to the city for employment and other purposes, which increased following the April 2015 earthquake.
Risk of trafficking occurs when a family does not have even the basic needs for life. Parents are easily convinced to entrust their children, especially daughters, to brokers who promise high-paying
In this context, the Church can play a role in preventing trafficking from happening and in the rehabilitation of survivors. The conference helped church leaders to focus on the issues of trafficking and consider what the Bible says about social justice, helping the marginalised, supporting families and bringing people to restoration.
One attendee said, “The Church
can reach where NGOs and the government cannot. It should bring transformation and encourage its people to work against human trafficking.” An action plan was created to raise awareness through public events and through door-todoor visits, and, since then, several hundred people have been reached with messages every month. The network has also led training for students at a secondary school in Urleni, Nuwakot. 3
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LIGHT LIFE FOR FILIPINO AND
CHILDREN
Children learn more about their rights during a lively Saturday afternoon session
Thousands of children in the Philippines are affected by the murky world of online sexual exploitation. Andrew Dubock travels to the country to find the light and hope that our partner network is offering. A teddy bear. A symbol of childhood, of innocence, of security.
because she was worried about what would happen to her family.”
However, for Angela, a 12-year-old from the Philippines, her favourite toy will always be a reminder of the moment when her aunt betrayed her.
UNICEF describes the Philippines as “the global epicentre of the live-stream sexual abuse trade.” The country’s rapid
“When we picked her up, Angela didn’t know why she had been rescued,” social worker Jovie Sorongon tells me. “Her aunt told her the picture with her teddy bear would become her profile picture. Instead it was sent online to the abuser and the aunt would get money from it.” A police raid prevented her aunt from repeating the act – but the damage was already done. “It was heartbreaking to see Angela”, adds Jovie. “She was really crying
urbanisation and technological advancements, coupled with rising social and economic inequality, are factors in the increase of online sexual exploitation of children, or OSEC. As a father of two daughters of a similar age to Angela, her story horrifies and sickens me and this is at the front of my mind as I travel to Dasmariñas, an hour’s drive from the capital, Manila. It’s a city that has the highest number of victims relative to its size – and that figure is likely to be even greater due to under-reporting.
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FREEING CHILDREN FROM EXPLOITATION
A street in Dasmariñas
Eliminating OSEC in Dasmariñas: two-year plan
75 youth advocates empowered 1,000 children educated 2,000 parents trained 100 government officials and community leaders influenced
40,000 school children protected With a commitment to protecting children from abuse for 20 years, Viva’s partner Philippine
Children’s Ministries Network (PCMN), has started a programme to eliminate OSEC, particularly focusing on Dasmariñas. It has three clear focus areas: prevention (raising awareness across society), justice (improving reporting through greater collaboration), and restoration (safe community reintegration of OSEC victims). Several ‘barangays’ (or neighbourhoods) are beginning to partner with PCMN already. Jeffrey Laureano, a Barangay councillor, says, “When it came to my attention that there were OSEC cases in my area I was really shocked and presented it at a council meeting. I pushed that we should get involved in this so we could address this very important issue.” Three years ago, teacher Adrian Dean from Dr Jose Rizal Elementary School discovered that one of his students had fallen victim to OSEC. He tells me, “During the time, I didn’t know how to handle it – I was not trained. After that
we had topics such as anti-bullying and child protection policy. But then recently I saw a post from a former student about PCMN. It got my interest. I see the connection
of PCMN and our school in working together.” Pastor Derek Johns, from World Christian Fellowship, has just begun a partnership with PCMN on the issue of OSEC. “We’re learning exactly how to deal with the problem: who to contact, how to train the children. Through our relationship with PCMN we’re getting connected with other organisations, other churches and other groups who are also dealing with OSEC.” He adds, “I believe that we’re not called to just stay here in the building – but to be the light of Jesus Christ in the community. And light means taking action. We want to see children rescued – and churches need to be at the forefront of dealing with these issues.” 5
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PCMN’s youth-driven advocacy is impressive. It’s a privilege to spend time amongst the group of energetic young people who are passionate about protecting children and driving this programme forward. Arjay Dela Cruz tells me about his motivation. “OSEC has made me afraid for the welfare of children, especially because I have nephews and nieces. I used to ask myself what I can do in the community but PCMN has taught me I can make a difference. I want children to play,
As well as the current OSEC focus in Dasmariñas, PCMN is also equipping youth leaders from across the Philippines to tackle the issues. I attend a comprehensive two-day national training of trainers event in Manila for 50 people, including Khosh Susithoren, who travelled from Iligan City in northern Mindanao.
She says, “OSEC is a big problem where I live but it’s also a taboo subject, so these seminars are equipping me how to be culturally exercise and enjoy their rights – and to sensitive. These children are very damaged. I be free from abuse and exploitation.” think in another time, that could have been me or you. So we’re blessed that we have not gone through what they have. And with
that blessing comes the challenge and the responsibility that we really need to do something for these children.”
Youth advocate Arjay Dela Cruz
Watching an interactive session led by four youth advocates at a church, it’s great to see the 8-14 year-old children there engage and begin to understand their rights by writing post-it notes and adding them to a wall display. This is during one of eight sessions produced by PCMN, with other modules teaching children about different forms of OSEC, how to recognise and report it and what can be done to prevent it. Visual aids, including a story told by puppets, help to bring it alive.
Fe Foronda, PCMN’s National Director, echoes these words, telling me “We cannot just close our eyes to this. We should be engaged in it and change the situation. My hope is that this will be stopped in the near future and in collaboration with everyone, especially the churches, the government and the NGOs.” Our brothers and sisters in the Philippines are beginning a journey to eliminate the online sexual exploitation of children. It was inspiring to meet people committed to the fight, and I left hopeful that they can have an impact on children, families, neighbourhoods and indeed whole cities. And that children in the Philippines will be able to continue to hug their teddy bears without lasting, painful memories. Andrew Dubock is Viva’s Fundraising and Outreach Team Manager
This Christmas, will you help us to prevent children in the Philippines from being sexually exploited online?
Go to viva.org/christmasappeal for videos, more articles and ways to give. 6
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FINDING
ANOTHER WAY
Syrian refugee children in Lebanon are vulnerable to being exploited and forced to work. However, as Kezia M’Clelland writes, Viva and its local partner are prioritising the need for child protection and supporting them in getting an education. Refugees comprise a quarter of Lebanon’s population. This brings pressure on resources and opportunities, and Syrian families increasingly struggle to meet their basic needs. With work hard to find 76 per cent of Syrian refugees in Lebanon live below the poverty line.* As a result, child
labour is on the rise among refugee families struggling to make ends meet. In Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley there is a high demand for cheap labour in agricultural work and, amongst our partners working in this area, it is common to hear stories from families who feel they have no option but to send some of their children to work. One father here told me: “They are too tired, they are working too hard. A child doesn’t have the capacity for this, but he has to do it.”
© Helen Manson/Tearfund NZ
FREEING CHILDREN FROM EXPLOITATION
Education is a key factor in preventing child exploitation
at the education centre who convinced their parents of the importance of education. These children are now back in school. Viva supports
these centres through child protection training and mentoring, and supporting training for educators. Providing opportunities for education is not a complete solution. We’re currently also prioritising looking at ways to engage and support parents. Livelihoods projects are being piloted by MERATH to seek to address the economic pressure which contributes to exploitation. Viva will ensure that child protection is integrated into these projects.
Please pray for: • Access to education for all Syrian children, and particularly older children and youth who most often lack this opportunity and are vulnerable to exploitation. • New initiatives to emerge that will enable Syrian children and young people to fulfil their potential and be free from exploitation and abuse.
Lack of access to education is a key factor in enabling child labour, and at least 41 per cent of children aged 6-14 in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley are still out of school.* Viva works alongside our local partner MERATH to support churches in their desire to help children get back into school, and our nonformal education projects now reach 1,500 children with basic education and psychosocial support. In one centre I was encouraged to hear stories of how two older boys, who had been taken out of school in order to work, were helped by staff
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Kezia M’Clelland is Viva’s Children in Emergencies Specialist *
Source: The 2017 Vulnerability Assessment of Syrian Refugees in Lebanon
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© Internet Matters
TOP TIPS TO KEEP YOUR CHILDREN It’s important to talk to children about their online friendships
SAFER ONLINE
Digitalisation means children now have the world at their fingertips. And with nearly three-quarters of pre-teens in the UK now owning a smartphone they have untold opportunities to learn, explore and communicate online. But with the freedom of the digital world there are also serious risks. Carolyn Bunting, CEO of Internet Matters, shares advice for parents around the issues of online grooming and sexting. We know that online grooming consistently remains a top concern for parents. Our latest research has found that nearly seven out of ten parents have worries over this issue. Groomers often use social networks in order to attempt to gain a child’s trust – often posing as someone the same age as the child and, once they feel they have the child’s trust, they then encourage children to send sexual photographs or videos of themselves.
At Internet Matters, we encourage parents to have conversations as early as possible as part of a preventative measure to stop children falling victim to online dangers and risks.
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Technology will change, the devices children use will advance and groomers will find new platforms to target children. However, if you have created an open channel from a young age, your
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child will feel more comfortable talking to you as soon as they face something online that makes them feel uncomfortable. Here are some easy steps for starting a conversation with your child about the risks of online grooming.
Be approachable: Let them know you are there to help them if they get into trouble online and if they are concerned about something they can come to you. Talk to them about their online friendships: Find out what sites they go to, where they met their online friends, how they communicate and what information they share. Make sure they know that having thousands of online ‘friends’ isn’t always safe.
For older children: Teenagers may be very protective of their online network and feel you
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FREEING CHILDREN FROM EXPLOITATION are interfering with their private lives so start a conversation by stating that “you read something the other day” or “you heard about a case in the news” and allow them to think critically about it. Explain how easy it is to pretend to be someone else online, and why an adult may wish to approach them.
With younger children: Talk about grooming as you would “stranger danger” – a stranger is anyone you don’t know, whether in real life or online. Tell them they shouldn’t talk privately or give personal information to anyone they don’t know. Discuss with them what ‘personal information’ is.
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While contact with strangers on the internet poses a serious danger to our children, peer-topeer relationships can also cause them harm. With increased access to social media networks, more children are sharing inappropriate images of themselves on the internet.
SEXTING
Trust can be exploited, and inappropriate images can end up being shared on multiple group chats on social networks, affecting your child’s reputation and mental health. It’s important to be able to talk to your child about the consequences of sexting and what to do if it does happen.
Explain what can happen to an image: Remind your child that once an image has been sent, there’s no way of getting it back or knowing where it will end up. Ask them to think before
If you have concerns that your child is being groomed, here are the key signs to look out for: • Your child wanting to spend more and more time on the internet. •B eing secretive about who they are talking to online and what sites they visit. • S witching screens when you come near the computer. •P ossessing items – electronic devices or phones – you haven’t given them. •U sing sexual language you wouldn’t expect them to know. •B ecoming emotionally volatile.
they send a picture of themselves: ‘Would I want my family, teachers or future employers to see it?’
Be prepared: Talk to your child about having some responses ready if they are asked to send explicit images. ChildLine has created a free app which has witty images to send in reply plus advice on how to stay safe.
Tackle peer pressure: Show you understand how they may feel pushed into sending something even though they know it isn’t the right thing to do. Help them to understand that the results of giving in to pressure could be much worse than standing up to it.
Reassure them if it does happen… then it is important to stay calm and work together to resolve the situation. If they can’t talk to you, direct them to organisations like ChildLine who can offer one-to-one support.
Internet Matters is a UK-based, not-for-profit organisation that has a simple purpose – to help keep children safe in the digital world. They offer advice and information on tackling e-safety issues, are backed by the UK’s most prominent internet industry players and are supported by leading child online safety experts. For more information, go to www.internetmatters.org 9
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A SIMPLE BLESSING BY CHILDREN FOR CHILDREN “When we’re in trouble… Jesus saves!” the excited kids resounded. The Vine Church in Hong Kong hosted its halfday Vacation Bible School (VBS) programme last summer, made possible by the many volunteers who take care of the 50 children. It was so exciting watching the kids dance and knew all the action to the songs declaring that God is there when they felt lonely or in trouble. The theme was ‘Shipwrecked’ where kids learn about God’s faithfulness through drama, games, and songs.
This year, Viva had the opportunity to partner with the Vine through its VBS programme where children were given the opportunity to bless other children less fortunate than themselves living in the Philippines. At the ‘Imagination Station’, children were given blank notebooks, markers, glitter and stickers and asked to decorate them and write a note to a child in the Philippines. We saw little children writing notes of encouragement and blessing saying “Jesus loves you” and are reminded of how a simple gesture
can be such a testament to Christ’s love for the broken-hearted. The VBS children decorated nearly 100 notebooks which will be sent as Christmas gifts to the children of the school during a special Christmas Party held by Viva’s partner network PCMN.
Christmas Parties are run by Viva’s partner networks around the world and are a time of great excitement for children who receive a present, good meal and the knowledge that they are loved and valued. About seven in ten children who to a Viva Christmas Party have never had contact with the church network before. For some children and their families, this will be the first time of hearing the Jesus story! In the Philippines, PCMN continues to work to counsel traumatised children and families, empower Child Ambassadors and advocate for the strengthening of families.
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FREEING CHILDREN FROM EXPLOITATION
MAKING MOONCAKES FOR A CAUSE In September, Viva Hong Kong held a fundraising mooncakemaking workshop in Hong Kong in celebrationof the Mid-Autumn Festival. We hosted a total of ten pairs of people of all ages to make bunny mooncakes and asked participants to pay to take part in the workshop, with the money raised going towards Viva’s global work with vulnerable children. Both children and adults enjoyed the hands on process of measuring out the pastry, moulding it, wrapping the egg yoke paste and some got more creative and created shapes of different animals and even monsters. We loved watching parents taking time to do something creative and fun with their children. These are memorable moments that mean a lot to families. After a short while, the mooncakes came out of the oven and the kids were eager to try their handmade creations. Some of the mooncakes didn’t even make it to the box for them to take home as they couldn’t wait to devour a couple before they went home! All in all, we were all filled with, not only from richness of egg yolk and pastry, but also the love between family and friends. 11
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This Christmas, will you be a bearer of light and prevent children from being exploited? Give online or by cheque and your gift will be doubled.
viva.org/christmasappeal
Viva, Room TA07, 6/F, Woon Lee Commercial Building, 7-9 Austin Avenue, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong t: +852 3919 5867
FACEBOOK.COM/VIVATOGETHERHK Mixed Sources Product group from well-managed forests, controlled sources and recycled wood or fibre. www.fsc.org Cert No. SA-COC-09174 ‘Front cover (inset): Helen Manson/Tearfund NZ
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HK@VIVA.ORG
VIVA.ORG
Viva is an operating name of Viva Network (Hong Kong) Limited. Viva Network (Hong Kong) Limited is a company limited by guarantee and registered charity with company no.1657942, and registered in Hong Kong SAR at 22/F Siu On Building, 243-245 Des Vouex Road West, Hong Kong Any children referred to have had their names and photos changed in accordance with our Child Protection Policy.
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