The House Committee on Appropriations approved on Monday, Jan. 24, the budgetary provision of a bill that will further protect children below 18 years old from all forms of sexual abuse or exploitation by prohibting more acts, including "grooming" them as well as making them as objects of sexual fantasies.
Under the bill entitled "Anti-Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children," grooming a child by "establishing a relationship, trust or emotional connection with a child and/or the family, guardian, and/or caregivers, whether in person or via electronic and other similar devices, for the purpose of perpetrating sexual abuse or exploitation" is prohibited.
Sexualizing a minor by presenting him or her as an object of sexual fantasy or making him or her conversational subjects of sexual fantasies, in any online or digital platform, is also not allowed.
The bill, which is authored by Zambales 2nd District Rep. Cheryl Deloso Montallanas a substitution of various House bills, aims to guarantee the fundamental rights of the children from all forms of neglect and cruelty as well as protect them from abuse or exploitation with or without the use of information and communication technology.
Other prohibited acts are:
• Hiring or coercing a child to perform in the creation of any sexual abuse or exploitation material
• Producing or publishing any sexual abuse or exploitation material
• Allowing or influencing a child to engage in any sexual abuse or exploitation material as well as providing a venue for it
• Streaming or hiring a facilitator to stream the material
• Benefiting from the commission of the material
• Wilfully joining, supporting or subscribing to an internet site that hosts streaming of sexual abuse or exploitation materials
• Possessing at least three materials intended for selling, distribution or broadcast
According to the bill, the consent of a child to be subject of any prohibited acts shall not be available as a defense.
Any person found guilty for the violation of the measure shall be meted with a fine ranging from P2 million to P20M million and a penalty of reclusion perpetua.