10/15/2026
A new CNN investigation is hard to read but important to see. The U.S. has been the largest buyer of online child sexual abuse material produced in the Philippines. In 2022 alone, an estimated 500,000 Filipino children were exploited this way, often by someone they knew and trusted at home.
Arrests and prosecutions matter. But we believe the most lasting answer is prevention: building communities where every person is known, protected, and never for sale.
That's why Hᴏᴘᴇ61 continues to train and equip Filipino national trainers. These local leaders equip churches to address specific vulnerabilities that can lead to trafficking within their communities, as they also bring the message of eternal salvation to those who are vulnerable to becoming involved in trafficking as victims, buyers, and traffickers. The goal is to stop exploitation before it ever starts.
We're grateful for every trainer and partner who has said yes to this work, and we're not slowing down. In November, we return to the Philippines to equip and empower even more committed leaders.
Read the CNN report: https://www.cnn.com/interactive/2026/10/us-philippines-online-child-sex-abuse-intl-hnk-vis/index.html
