Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children in the Philippines

Abstract

Angel (not her real name) was first sexually abused by her uncle when she was eight years old. At that time, Angel was working rather than going to school, selling sampaguita flowers on the streets of Metro Manila to help support her family. When her uncle began abusing her, she was so ashamed that she chose not to tell anyone in her family. Later, when he began selling her to strangers, she decided to run away and live on the streets. After a few months of stretched existence, she found herself living in a shelter with other children who were lucky enough to find refuge from the streets.