Cambodia
Fighting Child Exploitation
Challenges facing children in Cambodia
Cambodia is one of the most socio-economically vulnerable countries in Southeast Asia. Children are at risk of sexual exploitation in travel and tourism, forced labour, child trafficking and unsafe migration. Children also face exploitation online where it is reported that 1 in every 10 children suffer online sexual abuse and exploitation in the country. We protect children and prevent child exploitation through lobby and advocacy. We empower children and youth to speak up and advocate for systemic changes. We integrate the voices of survivors into our advocacy agenda.
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Chhengla Leap
Project Coordinator CambodiaDigital technology has become an integral part of children’s lives in Cambodia nowadays, that’s why online safety for children is as essential as their physical safety in everyday life. It is our duty to uphold their digital rights and safeguard them in the digital world.”
Children in Cambodia
- Around 48.7% of children in Cambodia are multidimensionally poor.
- Only 51.7% of children complete secondary education. Out-of-school children are vulnerable to child labour, child trafficking, child marriage and online sexual exploitation among others.
- An estimated 285K children (5-14) and 422K children (15-17) are involved in child labour mostly in agriculture, brickmaking and domestic work.
- Sexual exploitation of children occurs in travel and tourism, child trafficking and migration and online environments.
- 1 in every 10 children suffer online sexual abuse and exploitation in the country.
Enforcement of laws to protect children needs more consistency and support systems require strengthening. In Cambodia, the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation is the nodal agency for child protection with support from other ministries.
Our Work in Cambodia
In Cambodia, we work in the provinces of Phnom Penh, Battambang, Kratie, Kandal and Siem Reap having reached 775 children in 2024.
We combat online child sexual exploitation through lobby, advocacy and accountable partnerships. Working with the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, we engage the private sector to create safer online spaces. We empower children and youth to raise awareness, influence policy, and ensure law enforcement. In collaboration with cyber authorities, we support survivors in receiving referral services.
In 2024, The Policy Academy in Cambodia endorsed our Online Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation (OCSEA) Training Manual which raises knowledge on prevention and response to OCSEA. Three Internet Service Providers (ISPs) integrated our Code of Conduct on Child Online Protection to their policies.
Our Approach in Cambodia
Lobby and advocacy.
We advocate and lobby the government and other institutions for policy changes and implementation of laws and measures.
Capacity building
We build the capacity of youth to raise awareness and advocate for policy changes. In 2024, we increased the capacity of 374 law enforcement and government officials to prevent and respond to online child exploitation.
Awareness Raising
We partner with the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunication and a social media influencer to raise awareness of online child sexual exploitation. Children developed a stop-motion animation awareness film.
Private Sector Engagement
We work closely with the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications to develop a Code of Conduct for private sector companies with respect to online safety. Three companies adopted this code of conduct into their policies.
Referral services
We ensure referral services to survivors of exploitation constituting counselling, legal support and education.
Our Projects in Cambodia
Our partners in Cambodia
Together with experienced partners we are working towards a world without child exploitation, where young people can feel safe today and better about tomorrow.
Join our fight.
Action Pour Les Enfants (APLE)
In 2003, Action Pour Les Enfants (APLE) was established in Phnom Penh, Cambodia as an international NGO. Initially, APLE assisted the police with investigations into street-based child sexual abuse and exploitation and provided pro-bono legal support to victims and their families. As APLE gained more knowledge and expertise in combating child sexual abuse, its operations expanded.
AusCam Freedom Project
AusCam Freedom Project is an international anti-trafficking organisation preventing the abuse of girls in Cambodia. More specifically, we identify girls at high risk, provide immediate protection/intervention and then invest deeply in their education and ability to transform their communities.
Funding partners
Contact
Terre des Hommes Netherlands Asia Regional and Country Office
#C7-820, Fortune Tower,
Street 161, Vealvong
Phnom Penh
Cambodja
+855 23 222 553
asia@tdh.nl
Business hours
Monday to Friday 08:00 – 17.00
11,562026366770384, 104,91409949410757
