From January to September this year, more than 180 cases of child abuse and sexual exploitation were identified making institutions in Cambodia more determined to continue the campaign to prevent all forms of child abuse.

A report by APLE Cambodia in early October 2023 states that in the first nine months of this year, Cambodia had more than 180 cases of child abuse and sexual exploitation.

The report added that of these cases, 130 involved online child sexual exploitation.

Executive Director of APLE Samleang Seila said that research on child sexual abuse and online exploitation in Cambodia remains a concern that requires everybody to work together to protect and prevent children from online abuse and exploitation.

He added that according to a new Disruption Harm Study in Cambodia, more than 80% of children between the ages of 12 and 17 use internet.

While children and teens spend a lot of time online, most are unaware of the risks and dangers of online sexual abuse and exploitation.

“Perpetrators’ tricks have become more complex and worse, which requires all parties involved to work together to solve this issue. Children who are victims of sexual abuse and exploitation are severely affected both physically and emotionally throughout their lives,” he said.

Most child victims feel ashamed, find it difficult to trust others, feel despair and frustration, self-blaming, fearful, and in need of immediate help. The magnitude of the rehabilitation process for child victims is immense and requires both emotional and physical support from parents, guardians, professionals and the community.

According to the Director-General of the General Department of ICT of the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunication Neang Mao, data from the Cyber Tipline sources indicates about 220,000 child sexual abuse images were posted online in Cambodia in 2022.

Although this number is down from 2021, which was about 400,000 cases, it is still higher than in 2020, which was about 100,000 cases.

He added that there are other types of risks associated with threats, fraud, data theft and identity fraud, that remain high. One in 10 children has been exposed to online sexual abuse and exploitation by strangers.

He said that there have been many incidents in which Cambodian children have been threatened by criminals to pay cash in return for not publishing inappropriate personal images online or informing their parents.

He said that to prevent and respond to these problems requires the participation of digital technology companies.

Executive Director of the Cambodian Red Cross in Phnom Penh Chin Bunthoeun said that Cambodia has been working to prevent and respond to online abuse.

He added that Cambodia has now taken steps to contribute to the betterment of child protection and working in the best interests of children both in Cambodia and around the world.