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New Research into Child Prostitution in Cambodia

On 13 October 2005, NGO Coalition to Address Sexual Exploitation of Children in Cambodia (COSECAM), in conjunction with AIDeTouS, presented three new studies of child prostitution in Cambodia. The presentations explored: the impact of closing Svay Pak; the new practices of prostitution in Cambodia; and the situation of paedophilia of Sihanoukville.

The first report entitled "Impact of Closing Svay Pak: Study of police and international NGO assisted interventions in Svay Pak, Kingdom of Cambodia," was presented by Dr. Frederic Thomas. The report was published in January 2005 and is based on observations, surveys and interviews conducted in the village of Svay Pak. While the report was in support of the closure of Svay Pak, it concluded that this action did not stop the sexual and commercial exploitation of prostituted children and girls previously working in Svay Pak, but merely forced them to disperse and relocate in other areas. The report highlights the long period of time required to definitively close the prostitution area of Svay Pak and exposes a need for a different and more holistic approach to be taken by NGOs, government agencies and police units in their intervention.

Mr So Sokbunathet presented the second report published in June 2005 entitled "The New Practices of Prostitution: Study of the New Practices of Prostitution after Actions Conducted by the Royal Government of Cambodia for Elimination of Prostitution." The research undertaken for the report was conducted over 12 days and investigated localities of prostitution and situational differences for prostitutes in each of the locations. It identified 8 general localities of prostitution in Phnom Penh: beer gardens; nightclubs; snooker clubs; massage salons; karaoke parlors; barbershops; hidden brothels; and street prostitution. The research revealed variations in payments and payment sharing to prostitutes, and variations in the degree of prostitutes' freedom of choice according to their work location. According to the report, nightclubs, massage salons, brothels and street prostitution involve regular payment sharing by prostitutes and tend to be less voluntary.

The third study was conducted by Judith von Gyer, Country Director of Village Focus International, entitled "Situation Analysis of Paedophilia in Sihanoukville: Study of Perceived Demand for Child Sex in Sihanoukville." The report investigated whether Sihanoukville is perceived as a location of child prostitution amongst tourists, sex tourists and business owners in the area and also explored the availability of children for interested paedophiles. Results revealed that 25% of the 48 people surveyed perceived Sihanoukville as facing a child sex tourism problem. Many business owners reported that they had witnessed cases of child prostitution but did not view it as a problem. Qualitative research exposed that children are available and have been used by child sex tourists in Sihanoukville. The report recommended that improvements in law enforcement on child prostitution in Sihanoukville would be an important tool to reduce the image of impunity and, in turn, the number of child sex tourists.