TRICIA

Tricia is a ten-year-old female and is one of three sisters who was rescued one month ago in Talomo, Davao City after being sexually exploited by her paternal aunt, Elsa Santos. Police conducted an entrapment and rescue operation together with DSWD social workers during which Elsa Santos offered a live sex show in exchange for money. Elsa is currently in jail and Tricia is currently in a private shelter for older girls in General Santos while her sisters are in a DSWD shelter in Santa Cruz.

Abuse History

The online sexual exploitation began two years ago under the facilitation of Aunt Elsa, when Tricia was 8 years old, 1 year after the death of her father, Rogero Santos. As the eldest sister of Rogero, Elsa took the children into her care when Tricia was 8 years old. Elsa lives with her friend, Anna, who told her that she could earn easy money by sending photos of the girls to a contact in the USA. According to the authorities, Elsa had sent hundreds of nude photos of all three girls to multiple foreign buyers. Prior to the rescue, she organized a live sex show to another customer in Canada.

At first, the shows would only include Tricia, but she was able to earn more money by forcing other girls to “play” together. Before forcing the girls to do the shows, Elsa would always tell them that they are going to “help their aunt to pay for food and clothes”. She would tell the girls to “clean up the room so we can do a nice show” before livestreaming their abuse. She regularly told them that she has taken care of them since their parents have died and that their father would be ashamed of them if they would not help her financially. After the show is over, she would give the girls a candy to eat to reward their obedience. Tricia reported that both her aunt Elsa and Elsa’s friend, Anna were involved in making her and the other girls do OSEC.

Family Background

Tricia and her sisters are the children of Rogero and Christina Santos, who were residents of Tagakpan, Davao. Christina (mother) had a very strong attachment with her children and was the primary carer when she was alive. Christina died 4 years ago from lung cancer which had become progressively worse due to her smoking. After Christina’s death, the children were very distressed and difficult to manage. Rogero asked his younger sister, Rebecca (paternal aunt), to assist in the house, taking care of the children while he was at work. Rebecca reported that Elsa, the oldest sister, was offended that she had not been asked to assist first. Rebecca was living nearby Davao at the time and provided help in caring for the children for 1 year in the family home after Christina’s death. However, to avoid any conflict with Elsa , Rebecca decided to lessen her visitation to Tricia and her siblings in the family home.

Only 2 years after Christina’s death, Rogero also died as a result of a work accident involving heavy machinery. At this time, Rebecca was studying and was unable to offer to take full time care of the children. Because of this, after Rogero’s death, Elsa who worked from home running a laba laundry shop took on care of the three children in her home in Talomo, Davao. Elsa earned approximately 4,000 per week doing this job. As the children had not seen Elsa very often during their childhood, they did not have a strong connection with her. Tricia reported that they often felt scared of her and made sure they did everything she told them to in case she got angry with them.

Tricia presented with some minor health concerns including some cuts and sores which had not been properly treated and had minor infection. When the shelter staff checked the Tricia’s BMI, she appeared to be underweight and presents as small for her age. Elsa’s home in Talomo, which the children were rescued from has 2 rooms and 1 toilet and is located in a slum village. The case manager reported nearest public hospital is about 1 hour and 45 minutes away from their house. Elsa and Anna were buying gallons of drinking water in a nearby water refilling station, and do not have their own water connection.

School Functioning & Developmental History

As a child, Tricia was sociable and happy. She played happily with other children and was able to socialise quickly. After Tricia’s abuse started two years ago, when she was 8 years old, Tricia became more quiet and distant from other children of her age. Elsa put Tricia into an elementary school in their barangay however she struggled a lot. Tricia easily got distracted and unfocused in class and was described by her teachers as ‘not interested’ in class activities. Her teachers noticed that Tricia find it difficult to make new friends, and would remain by herself for long periods of time. One teacher recalled an instance when Tricia was in Grade 3 (age 9) Tricia was asked to help clean the classroom, the other children got up to pack away their things, while Tricia started hyperventilating and rocking backwards and forwards. The teacher tried to talk to her but Tricia would not take her head out of her hands and continued rocking back and forwards for 30 minutes until she was assisted to walk outside.

Tricia is currently in grade 4, however her reading and writing skills are comparable to a grade 2 student. She is unable to spell four or five letter words correctly and has difficulty writing her name. Tricia does not like going to school and is often unwilling to get out of bed. On some occasions Tricia has missed school days because she’s too upset and difficult to get ready for school. Tricia responds very well to outdoor activities and games such as running and sports. She has excellent hand-eye coordination and shelter social workers have observed that she is more relaxed and “more herself” when she is playing a sport or game.

Behavioural Functioning

Since the rescue, Tricia has been very distressed and spends a lot of time crying or by herself quietly. Sometimes, Shelter staff have seen her muttering things to herself while playing with dolls or figurines. She regularly reports experiencing nightmares and has recently started to bed-wet frequently. When asked about the nightmares, Tricia told the shelter staff that she dreamed about a washing machine which ripped her clothes off and danced around her, slapping her and telling her to clean herself.

On the few times which Tricia has been able to visit her sisters, she appears very happy and excited. When they play together, Tricia is very protective and hold her sisters’ hands very often. However, for 3 or 4 days after the visit, Tricia is inconsolable and spends a lot of time on her bed or away from the other children. Shelter staff have considered stopping the visits however, Tricia frequently asks to see her sisters and becomes upset when she is unable to see them.

Tricia is prone to hyperventilating and rocking herself in the fetal position. Things that cause her to do this include being asked to clean or pack things away, being asked to shower and being asked to play with other children. Tricia also reacts strongly when her clothes need to be washed, she refuses to get changed when her clothes are dirty and shelter staff often have to warn her that if she does not take her clothes off to be washed she could not play sport the next day.

Placement Options

Tricia has been in an NGO shelter since the rescue occurred 3-months ago. The case manager was able to secure a copy of the birth certificate of the Tricia and her siblings so that they can continue their schooling. During this time, she has visited her siblings 3 times. Rebecca (paternal aunt) visits her frequently and also visits the other sisters in Santa Cruz regularly as well. Rebecca is aware of the challenges which the girls have been having and, when she visits, appears to connect very well with them. Rebecca has expressed a desire to care for the children, however is concerned about her ability to do this by herself, both financially and being inadequate to respond to the difficult behaviours shown, especially by Tricia. During the interview, Rebecca was able to verbalize the possible dangers to Tricia now that she is the only nearest kin that can take care of Tricia and her siblings. Rebecca was also able to identify individuals in the community that she can ask for help when in trouble.

When Tricia was asked about how she would describe Rebecca, she said that she has been a good Ate towards her and she is kind because she gives her food when she visits them in their house. Rebecca already passed the licensure exam for teachers last month and will be starting to work next month at a Public Elementary School in Talomo with a salary of 21,000 a month as Teacher 1. Rebecca says that she plans their expenditures or budget for the week.

Rebecca was able to complete the Psychoeducation sessions last month conducted by the Barangay and the CSWDO. The Barangay has shown concern regarding Tricia’s case, but they admitted that they do not have the funds and they do not know what are the activities that they need to do to manage these cases. The Barangay said that they are willing to collaborate with the case manager of Tricia in order to address her and her family’s needs.