Cambodia
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.
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.
We protect and prevent online child sexual exploitation through integrated lobby and advocacy efforts. We partner closely with the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications to engage with the Private Sector to enable safer online spaces. We empower children and youth to raise awareness, advocate for policy changes and implementation of laws, and integrate children from diverse gender identities into our programme.
We organise mass awareness campaigns on online safety targetting children, youth and parents. We ensure referral services for survivors of online abuse and exploitation, working closely with Cyber authorities.
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.
Youth capacity building
We build the capacity of youth to raise awareness and advocate for policy changes
Youth and child-led awareness initiatives
A child-led campaign, ‘Safe Online World for Girls’ reached close to 100K children, and an interactive Facebook chatbot game on online safety learning was developed.
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. In 2023, through our partnership with the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, we actively contributed to the integration of the country’s Child Online Protection Guidelines for the Digital Technology Industry.
Referral services
We ensure referral services to survivors of exploitation constituting counselling, legal support and education. In 2023, 221 child survivors of exploitation were reached through emergency and referral support.
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
