A BIRD FLIES AWAY
THE SURVIVORS PHOTO SERIES
Matthias Verhaegen // 2025
In the Philippines, one in five children is a victim of sexual abuse and exploitation. When journalists Roel Nollet and Peter Dupont set out to the Philippines for a documentary about the problem, photographer Matthias Verhaegen joins them and makes the photo series ‘A Bird Flies Away’, which captures young women who try to break the cycle of sexual violence:
“For many children, poverty means a daily struggle to survive, often without any hope of a better future. In countries like the Philippines, this frequently leads to sexual exploitation of children, in many cases involving family members.
The harm is not only physical, but also psychological, with trauma that lasts a lifetime. Even when children are ‘rescued’ from these situations, the impact remains significant. Without a broader solution, it remains a matter of treating symptoms. As long as the demand for abusive material continues, this problem will persist. Sustainable change requires more than legal measures. It calls for empathy, prevention, and genuine care, without subjecting the children to further exploitation.
A Bird Flies Away shines a light on incredibly resilient young women. Their testimonies call for awareness, solidarity, and the pursuit of change.”
Charmae carries her son to her friend together with her sister Cherry. When they were only children, the young women were rescued from a family that exploited them in front of the camera in Iligan, Mindanao.
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