Forum on All Forms of Human Abuses and Child Protection
04 May 2010

A public forum on Laws that protect children were held at Sen Sok I Vilage, Sen Sok District, Phnom Penh. World Vision Cambodia supported and organized the community learning on the law on Domestic Violence and Child Protection, Suppression of Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation, and Child Labor and the Legal Processes on April 27, 2010. A total of 486 participants from seven villages attended the forum including local authorities and 65 young people from World Vision’s Khsach Kandal Area Development Program.

Sen Sok village was a new community formed in 2001 by the government. The habitants came from the evicted communities from three urban slum areas- Tonle Bassac, Chbar Ampeo and Toeuk Thlah. In the past this community was famous in domestic violence, rape and exploitation.

World Vision began working with this community since 2007. Through networking and follow up meetings with people, Sen Sok began to improve. Sen Sok means very peaceful or very secure, the name reflects the wish of the government, there is a purpose for naming this community.

Mr. Khem How, World Vision’s Area Development Program Manager said that the purpose of the forum is to raise awareness on domestic violence and laws on abuses to help people understand about mechanism of legal procedure in order to use when abuse occurs.

Mrs. Nim Kol, Mobilizing Communities for Child Protection Project Manager who initiated the public forum added that, “The forum will help community to have a better understanding on laws, legal aids and procedures and strengthen roles and responsibilities of child protection committee. To help people understand about the nature, law and legal procedures in response to child abuses such as domestic violence, child labour, and trafficking within the community and how to prevent and respond to it.”

Three speakers present their views as well as providing answer and recommendations on any related issues inquired by the community people. Mrs. Prum Soben, Chief of the Office of Domestic Violence Legal Protection Department Ministry of Woman Affair presented the definition of violence and explained for the how the community can help to stop domestic violence.

Mr. Keo Thea, Chief Office of Anti-Human Trafficking and Child Protection Municipal Police presented the criminal law for children above 14 years old and labor and sexual exploitation practiced by deceivers to cheat people.

Mr. Un Vuthy, Program Officer International Program on the Elimination of Child Labor (ILO) presented the Child Labor Law and Legal Processes. He also persuaded and challenged the people to send their children to school do not look for short term benefit from their children, but look for a long term and much satisfied benefit when their children get more education and better jobs.

Participant were actively involved in the forum and posed many questions and concerns. There were a lot of interactions and participants posed more questions than the panel could answer. At the end of the meeting many participants realized that they received more new knowledge and experiences.

The presentations of the speakers have inspired participants to be aware of risks and dangers of sending children to work either in the city or overseas. They also knew how to handle problem when and if it occurs.

Mrs. Chan Ry, Chief Sen Sok village number 5 expressed her excitement on the forum, “It is a good training because many heard about abuses and know how to deal with it. The community can recognize abusers, exploiters by listening to the shared experiences. In the future I commit myself to continue to teach villagers to understand more about these new lessons.”

The forum ended with a role play presented by a group of young people from the local church. Its message was to warn parents not to easily believe employers and send their underage children to work without thoroughly studying about the nature of work.

After the big gathering, Sen Sok community has hope in the future. Many participants have committed to apply and share what they have learned with others. In fact, villagers are beginning to realize that violence and abuse is decreasing and harmony and serenity are increasing in the community.

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