APLE provided psycho-social support, at the crisis stage to 14 (F: 07) new child victims [1] and continued to provide support and follow up with an existing[2] 57 (F: 36) child victims. The provision of immediate psychological counseling to child victims at the crisis stage plays a vital role following disclosure and rescue. The effects of abuse and exploitation are profound, affecting children emotionally and physically, and the essential support provided is very important and significant. This helps children to feel that they are not to blame and are safe, valued and respected. This can play a vital role in helping them take back control of their lives. In addition, the same supports especially psychological counseling was provided to families of those children and within this period 14 victims’ families (F: 11) received immediate crisis support and 63 existing families (F: 49) during their rehabilitation and participation in court proceedings.
More than the supports provision, APLE assessed with the families of the victims on their parental supports toward the victims. The assessment identified needs which APLE organized group counseling with 28 selected parents (F: 20) on (1) positive parenting, (2) none blaming and non-judgmental support to their child victims, and (3) open communication with their child victims. The sessions were found significant and useful by parents and they expressed satisfaction for what they’ve learned and demonstrate increased knowledge on the said topics.
During the subsequent legal procedure after the victims were identified, APLE’s Victim Supports and Assistance provided legal aid services including legal counseling, assistance and representation to 13 (F: 08) new and 18 (F: 12) existing child victims and 16 (F: 12) new child victims’ families and 22 (F: 17) existing child victims’ families while they participated in court proceeding. In addition, APLE’s legal team closely monitored and follow up with all cases to ensure the respects of child rights and consideration of child victims’ best of interest, especially the compliance to child-friendly procedures in the court proceeding.
As a result of the child victims’ participation to court proceeding, during the report from January to March 2022, three child sex offenders were found guilty and sentenced. Two were Cambodians who were sentenced to 2 year and six months and 7-year imprisonment for “child sexual abuse materials and sexual intercourse with minor under 15 years” and “rape with aggravated circumstances in regard to the age of the victim” consecutively and one American was sentenced to 4-year imprisonment for “purchase of child prostitution”.
Note:
[1] New child victims: those receiving first time support in the period of Jan-Mar 2022
[2] Existing: those who have received the support prior to the period of Jan-Mar 2022 and continue to receive on-going supports
A Khmer-American man, after living several years in the USA, moved back to Cambodia to live in a Buddhist temple located in a remote area in Takeo province. Once settled in the community, he then started supporting the local community by giving some money to build a road and providing loans to local villagers. At the same time, he started giving rural children with school materials, daily money and phones as generous and “uninterested” presents. Because of that, many children often visited him for playing or watching TV in his room in which he used to took advantage of the children… as he had been doing previously in the USA. The technique the offender used in this case is called “grooming”, and is actually one of the most common strategies used by other offenders to approach vulnerable children without causing suspicions, and at the same time is as well one of the most difficult strategies to investigate.
With the resources received from people like you, it was possible to support 30 child victims of sexual exploitation and abuse. APLE provided with basic rescue kits (containing clothes, a pair of shoes and some toiletries) to 18 victims just after they were rescued from their abusers. Accompanied by an APLE social worker who support them psychologically in the complicated process of the police interview, the victims explained as detailed as it was possible for them the abuse they suffered. From then, once a victim statement or complaint was filled, the legal process through the Court started.
Following the interview, 9 of the rescued victims needed medical examinations to check if they were affected by any sexually transmitted disease, and also to support their statement for the court process with stronger evidence.
After that stage, APLE social workers carried an assessment for each of the victims to know about their personal circumstances and family situation, planning their support for stabilizing their lives. From that assessment, 22 victims received study materials, 25 victims received rice and groceries, and 30 victims were provided with counseling sessions.
Thank you again for your support, and please keep connected with the victims as they need your attention.
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