Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children – in the Philippines : A qualitative study based on seven respondents’ construction of Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children as a social problem 

Abstract: The aim of this study was to examine how commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) was constructed as a social problem in the Philippines. More specifically its aim was to find out how seven respondents from four different organisations in the Philippines constructed CSEC as a social problem and how they looked upon different solutions of the issue. The study was based on qualitative semi-structured interviews made in Manila the capital city of the Philippines and a city four hours from Manila called Olongapo. The earlier research as well as the result and analysis were sorted by using the themes: character, causes, solutions and actors which are parts of an analysis scheme constructed by Jönsson (2010). The empirical material was explained by using analysis based on three different kinds of perspective of approaching a social problem as well as earlier research. The result shows that CSEC is constructed as a social problem in the country and there can be different explanations of the issue. It is for example explained as a human rights issue in the Philippines and the problem also exists on a global level. CSEC is described to be normalised in the country because of the need of an income. The problem is also explained to be a cause of the existing traditional values and the lack of implementation of the laws that should protect the children. The conclusion of the study is that depending on how CSEC is constructed as a social problem, its risk factors and who are the perpetrators will affect which solutions that are seen as suitable.