“Gallery of Hope” Launches at PH Consulate General in Hong Kong Depicting Artworks by Survivors of Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children

Philippine Consulate General and Sentro Rizal Hong Kong, in partnership with International Justice Mission Hong Kong launches “Gallery of Hope” featuring artworks of Filipino child survivors of Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation (OSAEC) at the Sining Malaya Art Corner in celebration of Museums and Galleries Month 2024. (Hong Kong PCG photo)

HONG KONG 28 October 2024 - In celebration of the Museums and Galleries Month this October, the Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong and Sentro Rizal Hong Kong, in cooperation with the International Justice Mission (IJM) Hong Kong, launched the “Gallery of Hope” exhibit on 13 October 2024 in its “Sining Malaya Art Corner” to promote awareness on the high incidence of Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) in the Philippines. 

Proclamation No. 798, series of 1991, declared October of every year as the “Museum and Galleries Month” to raise awareness of Philippine Cultural Identity through the promotion of institutions that propagate Filipino art, culture, and heritage. This year’s theme is “Honoring Traditions, Fostering Innovation,” which highlights the “balance between preserving the past and shaping the future.” 

With the Museum and Galleries Month’s theme, the Sining Malaya exhibit features bright and colorful drawings that remind the audience that a grim past would not hinder a brighter future. The works depict dreams, sources of happiness and things that inspire hope for survivors of OSAEC in the Philippines who are currently in a shelter undergoing an aftercare reintegration program. The artists’ display of joyful innocence, contrasted with their tragic recent past, calls the audience to revisit our culture and return to more traditional family values wherein children are treasured and protected. 

The Executive Director of IJM Hong Kong, Ms. Miwa Chan, emphasized that the artworks made by said children-survivors inspire hope that “we can end OSAEC together and be part of the solution.” Consul General Germinia V. Aguilar-Usudan expressed her words of support to the cause during the event’s launch, particularly inviting the audience to view the works through the hopeful eyes of the children who made such optimistic and healing artworks. 

IJM, a constant collaborator of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT), actively partners with the Department of Justice (DOJ) Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Philippine National Police (PNP), and Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) to rescue victims of OSAEC, and arrest and prosecute perpetrators of this crime. The organization also teams up with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in conducting such aftercare programs. 

In addition to strengthening justice systems, rescuing and restoring victims, and bringing criminals to justice, IJM also conducts casework that scales demand for the protection of the vulnerable in society. One such study is entitled “Online Sexual Exploitation of Children in the Philippines: Analysis and Recommendations for Governments, Industry, and Civil Society”, available at: https://www.ijm.org.ph/assets/resource/IJM-OSEC-in-the-Phils-Analysis-and- Recommendations-for-Governments-Industry-and-Civil-Society-Summary-2020.pdf. 

The Consulate also takes the opportunity during the month-long exhibit to distribute informational brochures from the DICT-CICC on the “Online Sexual Abuse and Expoitation of Children” and “Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (CSAEM) Act”. 

The exhibition may be viewed for free until the end of October at the “Sining Malaya Art Corner” located at the Philippine Consulate’s public area from Sunday to Thursdays, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. END

For more information, visit https://www.hongkongpcg.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinHK/.  

Philippine Consul General to Hong Kong Germinia V. Aguilar-Usudan delivers her opening remarks during the program. (Hong Kong PCG photos)

Ms. Miwa Chan, IJM Executive Director, provides a brief background about OSAEC and shares IJM’s programs and initiatives. (Hong Kong PCG photos)