Ending trafficking before it begins in Cambodia

There has been an alarming increase in the reports of online child sexual exploitation in Cambodia. Largely fueled by harmful social norms, girls face severe gender disparities and barriers that limit their ability to stay in school, make their own choices and protect themselves from harm, especially online. This gender inequality forms a complex cycle of injustice for girls, which has led to many to become victims of abuse that could have been prevented.

AusCam has always been committed to preventing exploitation by protecting and empowering those at the highest risk. We create safe spaces, traditionally in schools and communities, but right now we need more safe spaces online. Because of this changing landscape, we have a renewed focus.

Over the last few months, we’ve received 16 critical cases of girls in different stages and forms of sexual exploitation online, including Chantou…

In the past, Chantou had been a good student but was noticeably becoming quieter and more withdrawn, avoiding social situations whenever possible. She confided in her AusCam social worker that she was having nightmares about someone trying to hurt her, so we began investigating.

Chantou’s social worker was alarmed at the amount of hours she was spending online and we soon discovered that she was being manipulated into sending explicit photos to a foreigner posing as a boyfriend.

Chantou’s isolation led her to comply with dangerous requests made by strangers and she was taking many dangerous risks in the name of love. Thanks to Chantou’s social worker and the results of our risk assessment tool, we were able to identify what was happening to Chantou early so she could prevent the exploitation that would have come next. The AusCam team are now providing Chantou with specialistic care and making sure that she has access to a strong support network of positive relationships.

Your support helps provide the materials and services that girls need to stay safe and find opportunities.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas from all of us at AusCam! 

Our mission at AusCam is to prevent the sexual exploitation and trafficking of girls, which means that they first must be safe from immediate crisis or abuse, and then they must feel empowered and resilient for future situations.

Our Shine Centre remains instrumental in providing girls with that support they need to overcome challenges – building a lasting resistance to trafficking. Because of harmful gender norms in Cambodia, girls are often robbed of the ability to make decisions that affect their lives, but at the Shine Centre they have access to the opportunities and resources they need to make key decisions about their own future. The programs here are designed to help each girl build their skills and confidence, and to effect positive change around them.

In an effort to better support these positive changemakers, we now offer small grants for girls to propose and organise their own community projects on an issue they are most passionate about — giving girls the chance to test their skills to solve real community problems.

Since our last report:

• 52 girls have been employed in full-time jobs
• 63 girls have received specialist counselling services
• 21 girls have received educational support
• 650 girls have accessed our empowerment activities and events

With your support, we’ll continue to assist, encourage and empower girls to be resilient to future challenges and effectively end trafficking before it begins for thousands of girls in Cambodia. 

Thank you!

Links:

• http://auscam.org