MANILA — ABS-CBN security reporter Karen De Guzman received an award from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) for her documentary this year on online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC) cases and the production of child sexual abuse or exploitation materials (CSAEM) in the country.
De Guzman and her long-form investigative story entitled “Tahanang Taksil” under ABS-CBN News Documentaries were cited as best statistical report in a documentary during the 37th National Statistics Month (NSM) Media Awards on Thursday, October 1.
This is the first win in the newly formed category, which according to the PSA recognizes a documentary that “presents official statistics clearly and accurately, helping audiences gain a deeper understanding of important social and economic issues.”
“Tahanang Taksil,” produced with the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, highlights the stories of minors who survived abuse and exploitation perpetrated by family members and trusted adults, usually as a means of earning money for survival.
The case studies as well as the efforts by authorities and other groups to rescue, rehabilitate and give restitution to victim-survivors gave a face to the growing number of affected Filipinos.
The PSA noted the documentary’s use of data from the Philippine Statistical System such as the Department of Justice and the Philippine National Police.
De Guzman shared her award with those who opened their experiences with them and to the documentary team who “treated those stories with care, honesty, and compassion."
“This story was very close to us — not just because of the data, but because of the people behind those numbers. While making this documentary, we met victim-survivors who trusted us enough to share painful and deeply personal stories,” she said.
“As journalists, we sometimes become so focused on getting the story right that we forget how much courage it takes for people to let us into their lives. ‘Tahanang Taksil’ reminded me of that.”
She added that the documentary reflected their team’s belief that statistics can do more than inform but also help people listen and understand.
“Tahanang Taksil” can be streamed on the ABS-CBN News YouTube channel and on iWant.
The NSM Media Awards honors media practitioners and organizations who have shown excellence and responsible reporting and promoting of official statistics, the PSA said.