THE 129-year jail term that a court meted on convicted Australian pedophile Peter Gerard Scully is a victory for child sexual abuse victims, according to Sen. Risa Hontiveros. 

Scully is already serving a life sentence for rape and trafficking, and was found guilty anew in a child sexual abuse case involving victims as young as 18 months, according to a prosecutor. Three others were found guilty as well. 

“The conviction of pedophile Peter Gerard Scully, along with his cohorts, is a victory for the many child victims and victim-survivors of sexual abuse and exploitation,” Hontiveros said.

She also praised the law enforcers who captured cully and his co-accused and made sure they would be made accountable. 

The senator said Scully’s conviction should serve as a warning to all Filipino and foreign perpetrators of Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC), as well as human trafficking. 

“You will all be punished to the fullest extent of the law,” said Hontiveros, who authored the Anti-OSAEC law. 

The conviction of the Scully came as republicasia published a series of stories exposing the proliferation of sexual content on social media sites, and the use of these digital platforms to sexually abuse children.

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Hontiveros noted that the fight against human trafficking and OSAEC has become more complex due to the nature of digital platforms.

“Perpetrators have exploited the interconnectedness of our world. Scully himself recorded and uploaded his exploitative materials online, while sadly being aided and abetted by locals,” she said.

“But this case only highlights the importance of implementing the recently passed Anti-Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children Law and supporting the Expanded Anti-Trafficking Act of 2022,” she added. 

Photo credit: Risa Hontiveros Facebook page