X-rated content on live streaming platforms: "Accused Pedophiles call for increasingly graphic and violent abuse practices"
In the Philippines, a disturbing trend has emerged in recent years: the live streaming of sexual violence against minors. This practice, facilitated by criminal networks and live webcam technology, has attracted the attention of international law enforcement agencies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
At the forefront of the fight against this horrendous crime is Laurence Ligier, the founder and director of Cameleon, an association supporting victims of sexual violence in the Philippines for 28 years. Based in the country, Cameleon employs around 60 Filipinos who work in prevention and welcome girls aged 5 to 22 who are victims of sexual violence.
One of the most shocking accounts involves an international criminal group that organised live webcam sexual abuse of children aged 6-15 for payment, with Western men among the "customers." This group was dismantled in 2025 through collaboration between UK, Australian, and US agencies, resulting in 29 arrests including 11 facilitators in the Philippines and safeguarding 15 children. The live streaming often involved payments, with a total of approximately $60,000 identified from a network of foreign offenders.
The International Justice Mission (IJM) has established a Center to End Online Sexual Exploitation of Children in the Philippines, focusing on improving detection, reporting, international collaboration, and justice system responses to livestreamed sexual abuse. The IJM's studies estimate a high prevalence of child trafficking specifically to create child sexual exploitation materials (TCSEM), including via livestream video, mainly targeting children in the Philippines for paying offenders overseas.
Official data indicate a slight decline in reported cases of online sexual abuse and exploitation of children in the Philippines between 2019-2020, but the crime remains a serious concern requiring heightened law enforcement and technological countermeasures. The focus on online exploitation is increasing, with approximately 7,760 cases of violence against women and children reported in 2023 in the Philippines.
Combating this crime requires continued international cooperation and technological innovation to detect and disrupt these exploitative networks. Efforts involve global multi-sectoral cooperation (law enforcement, tech, and financial sectors) alongside local Philippine government initiatives, showing some progress but highlighting ongoing vulnerabilities.
Laurence Ligier's work in the Philippines has not pleased everyone, and she has faced challenges, including surviving two assassination attempts. She attributes her survival to her taekwondo skills. Despite the difficulties, Ligier remains dedicated to her mission, providing a safe haven for victims of sexual violence in the Philippines.
- The field of science and health-and-wellness intersect in the fight against online sexual exploitation of children, with organizations like the International Justice Mission (IJM) working on improving detection, reporting, and justice system responses, utilizing data and research to drive their efforts.
- General news and crime-and-justice sectors remain closely connected as they report on the ongoing issue of live streaming of sexual violence against minors, highlighting international collaborations, arrests, and efforts to combat this crime.
- In the pursuit of justice, organizations like Cameleon, focused on health-and-wellness and sexual-health, provide a safe haven for victims of sexual violence in the Philippines, offering preventative measures and support services.
