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Survey on Street-Based Child Sexual Eploitation in Cambodia

Raphaël Renault, APLE, (sponsored by the Embassy of Switzerland in Bangkok), April 2006.

This study was conducted as a result of the observations and conclusions made by APLE's Phnom Penh office with respect to new trends of street-based child sexual exploitation in Cambodia. It aims to provide a better understanding of the street-base child sexual exploitation phenomenon in areas where APLE does not have an established branch.

Current branches are located in Phnom Penh (since 2003) and Sihanoukville (since 2005). The survey was conducted during two months in seven locations: Svay Rieng, Battambang, Banteay Meanchey, Siem Reap, Ratanakiri, Kampot/Kep and Koh Kong. These areas were chosen for the number of tourists they attract or for their geographical location (border with Thailand and Vietnam).
This study is based on formal and informal interviews conducted with street children, families, moto-dops, guides, G/H owners, expatriates, NGOs and Police Units. Data collection involved various techniques of investigation and intelligence gathering and was conducted by 3 experienced APLE investigators and a foreign coordinator.

The general conclusions of this study are:
- Monitoring of travelling sex offenders does not occur outside Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville;

- While the phenomenon of child sex exploitation perpetrated by travelling sex offenders is spreading to the countryside and remote areas of Cambodia, data collected indicates it did exist in these areas prior to 2003 and the establishment of APLE in Cambodia and ATJPUs within the Cambodian Police.

- Trends can be identified in “grooming” and access methods used by traveling sex offenders to develop relationships with vulnerable children;

- It is necessary to develop alternative tools for dealing with street-based child sexual exploitation when law enforcement is nonexistent or ineffective;

- Specific results and conclusions vary at city/provincial levels.

Available Downloads

APLE Survey on Street-Based Child Sexual Eploitation in Cambodia