Teacher: Learning AdminTeacher: IJM - GELIE ERIKA ESTEBANTeacher: IJM - Nelisa Guevara-GarciaTeacher: IJM - Marjorie Lumanog

This course deals with what works when presenting a child witness for examination in an OSEC case. It highlights salient provisions and foundational concepts of the Rule on Examination of Child Witness (RECW) and discusses child protective strategies not covered in the previous courses. It provides instructions on trauma-informed strategies in the presentation of child witnesses, some considerations before presenting a child witness, and ways to prepare a child witness for hearing. Learners will now have navigated the training in full circle as they return to the practicality of the Best Interest of the Child principle discussed in Course 1.

Teacher: Learning Admin

This course extensively discusses how to effectively prove OSEC in court through child-independent evidence. It outlines the techniques and questions that can be employed when presenting evidence in OSEC cases. It reviews selected investigative strategies and their utility and relevance in OSEC cases.It also includes practical guidance on how to prepare a witness or a testimonial sponsor (e.g., online investigator, evidence custodian, investigator-on-the-case) vis-à-vis the Philippine justice system’s reliance to witness testimony. Learners are equipped with good practices in presenting relevant evidence (digital evidence, documentary evidence, and object evidence) to prove OSEC and in parrying defense strategies and objections.

Teacher: Learning Admin

This course serves as a practical guide on the effective utilization of plea bargaining in OSEC cases. It emphasizes the basis and motivation behind advocating for plea bargaining as a child-protective strategy to balance the prosecution’s duty of ensuring perpetrator accountability and duty of care for OSEC survivors. Learners get to know how to apply trauma-informed mindset in pursuing plea bargaining in OSEC cases. They also learn the considerations, best practices, and limitations (e.g., non-negotiable crimes, commensurate penalties, avoiding dropping charges, and non-application to syndicated crimes) of plea bargaining, and review how penalties are fairly computed in plea bargaining agreements.

Teacher: Learning Admin

This module delves into the critical considerations and requirements to effectively prosecute online sexual exploitation of children (OSEC) cases. It underscores the vital connection between law enforcement and prosecution, focusing on effective coordination and mutual assistance among actors in accordance with existing local and international legal frameworks. It tackles the value of child-protective prosecution strategies – e.g., plea bargaining and use of child-independent evidence – in preventing retraumatization while satisfying the requirements to prove an OSEC case.  Learners are also given extensive and practical instructions on preparing witnesses, presenting evidence, and successfully prosecuting OSEC cases in accordance with pertinent rules of procedure.