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Sexual exploitation of Cambodian children still continuing
Speaking at the commencement of the conference, H.E. Hav Bunse, Under Secretary of State, Ministry of Tourism for Cambodia, said from 1998 to 2002, tourism in Cambodia had increased 25-30% per year. In 2005, total visits reached 1.4 million; 35% higher than the number of visitors in 2004. During the first nine months of 2006, total tourism jumped to 1.18 million; a 17% increase from the same period in 2005. The increase in tourism is a major contribution to the economic growth of Cambodia, however, the opportunity also invites foreign pedophiles and other forms of sexual predators. “In 2005, there were hundreds of cases of sexual abuse reported to law enforcement agencies and NGOs,” said H.E. Prum Sokha, Secretary of State, Ministry of Interior. He added that “Everyday a lot of girls fall into countless tricks of commercial sexual exploitation in and outside Cambodia, under the guise of employment and fake marriage offers.” Esther Halim, the Country Director of World Vision Cambodia said the main regions for child prostitution are Siem Reap, Sihanoukville, Phnom Penh and several provinces bordering Thailand. Research by World Vision in conjunction with Ministry of Tourism in 2001 revealed that 45 per cent of Cambodian travel agents interviewed had seen tour guides supply children to foreign visitors. More than 70 per cent of children surveyed around Angkor Watt and nearby towns said that tourists had approached them for sex. “The Cambodian and international police and government agencies, embassies, citizens, local NGOs, international NGOs and tourism business all have a shared interest and responsibility in combating the sexual exploitation of children in Cambodia,” said Halim. The workshop provided participants the opportunity to better understand how they can safely and effectively support the investigation and prosecution of sex offenders, and support children who are involved in legal cases against child abusers. More than 100 participants from government ministries, law enforcement agencies, embassies, the private sector and NGOs participated in the workshop. |
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