Annual Report January-December 2012

Transcription

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2 Annual Report January-December 2012 Copy Right Cambodia ACTs This document has been produced with the financial assistance of the European Union (EU) and Terre des Hommes Netherlands (TdH-NL). The contents of this document are the sole responsibility of Cambodia ACTs and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the EU and TdH-NL.

3 Contents Contents 1 A Message from our Chairman 2 A Message from our Secretary General 3 Background 4 Cover Area 5 Structure of Cambodia ACTs 6 Executive Summary 7 Project 1; Enhancing the Community to Prevent Human-Trafficking, especially of Women and Children, and to Assist the Victims of Trafficking in Accessing Justice Project 2; Legal Support for Sexually Abused and Trafficked Children Project 3; Advancing the Cause of Better Protection of the Rights of Trafficking Children in South East Asia Project 4; Community Capacity-Building to Reduce the Damages Resulting from Child Labour Secretariat Activities Monitoring Visit 23 Financial Report Partners of Cambodia ACTs

4 A Message from Our Chairman The Complexity of Trafficking in Persons This year Khmer New Year was celebrated on April 14th. The media reported that hundreds of thousands of migrant workers left Phnom Penh or came through the borders to go to their hometowns to celebrate and reunite with their families. The massive movement of people strained the country's transport services as migrant workers laden with bags of gifts, food and clothes crammed into buses and taxis, while cars clogged the highways. Immediately after the New Year Event, thousands of migrant workers crossed the Poipet border, as migrant workers tried to get into Thailand. At least 500,000 Cambodians currently working in Thailand but only about 50 percent of that number is estimated to be legal mi grants. It is believed that the migration has affected both children who accompany the family and the left behind children. This means that it would have the negative affect on the survival, well-being, and development of children. Given Cambodia s high levels of unemployment and levels of poverty, the lure of higher salaries in other countries and urban areas will continue to create incentives for Cambodians to migrate. Cambodia ACTs is mainly concerned with worker migration that is facilitated by traffickers, which is defined as a criminal offense. Specifically we are concerned with worker migration (as at-your-own-risk or perpetrated by others) that involves children or workers below 18 years of age. Cambodia ACTs works toward prevention through education on safe migration, appropriate citizenship documentation, legal passage, governmentmonitored employment using legal contracts, education on worker rights and network of support services in areas of work. When the prospective migrant worker is in-transit, it is border authorities who can intervene. Yet with porous borders, not all migrant workers pass through border control. After crossing the border, the at-risk worker now becomes the victim, but Cambodia ACTs cannot intervene since it is foreign government authorities and NGOs in the receiving country who have jurisdiction over the Cambodian migrant worker and his/her abusive employer or receiver. Only when the victim returns to Cambodia can we provide assistance. This problem necessitates a cross-country agreement, either as a bilateral issue between the governments of the origin and receiving country, or as a Cambodian NGO-to-receiving country NGO partnership. This is not yet implemented in either case, even with bilateral agreements on trafficking and migrataion. This should be taken up as an ASIA ACTs project. This highlights the complexity of trafficking in persons as a development issue. Migrant labour is an accepted trend, it is a coping mechanism for unemployment in rural areas in poverty, and especially occurs during the farming off-season. Migration is a voluntary-and-risky affair. It happens either by the worker s own traverse into the next country or as facilitated by traffickers who prey on vulnerable workers with the promise of higherpaying jobs, putting them at risk in exchange for pay. Oftentimes, it is difficult to segregate what is by the worker s own risk and what is classified as trafficking by perpetrators; the latter being the criminal offense. Even for the latter, relatives are often involved, so victims do not see it as crime but as kin helping another kin. It only becomes a crime when abuse happens in the workplace, when the intended compensation is not met and exploitation is exposed and the victim seeks justice. Migration of labour also occurs to the urban centers within the country. This is one reason why Cambodia ACTs have taken on a children on the move framework. For this framework to be effective there is a need to collaborate between NGOs that are operating both in the child s place of origin area and the receiving area. But with large numbers of families and their children moving, this collaboration is not yet fully developed. In the future, it may be necessary to more strongly bring trafficking to the forefront as an urban-poor community issue since many rural poor families who migrate eventually end up as urban-poor families. By bridging the origin and receiving components we can then finally provide comprehensive support services to children in migrant labour families. The Executive Committee is very proud of what Cambodia ACTs has been able to accomplish over this past year. We look forward to another successful year in working towards our mission to fight against child trafficking. Your sincerely, Mr. Ung Pola Chairman of Cambodia ACTs 2

5 A Message from Our Secretary General Getting Re-Started to Get Ahead The secret of getting ahead is getting started. The secret of getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks, and starting on the first one. Mark Twain I feel greatly honored to be selected to assume the post of National Coordinator of Cambodia ACTS. My predecessor, Song Saran, has driven initiatives that have changed our organisation for the better making it relevant to the social changes in our country, taking its activities into new areas, and building a great network. I am a different person. Therefore, my work style will be different, but the goal will be the same to deliver results that help our NGO network members, our donors and our partners to combat child trafficking successfully. I had the privilege of serving in ECPAT, an NGO network against child exploitation, for several years and I understand the challenges of running a network. Efficiency, effective strategies and relevance are the foremost considerations. and I know what the priorities are. With some staff having moved out to other ventures, building up a good work team is first, of course. Then there is the never-ending effort to ensure that our services will be sustained. I have also experienced firsthand the support that NGO members of Cambodia ACTS can deliver, along with our donors and support stakeholders from government and other agencies. Cambodia ACTS s ability to fulfill its mission to represent, lead and serve depends on your trust and confidence. My challenge will be to deliver these without compromising Cambodia ACTS s effectiveness and ability to execute and deliver what poor children especially those at-risk and victim of trafficking need. Good teamwork and able staff will help Cambodia ACTS to become an even more effective association. No-one wants it to be an inward looking organization more concerned about running itself than delivering results. Let s not forget that Cambodia ACTS has delivered some great results in recent years. I am very conscious of the expectations you have of me and my colleagues to continue to do so. My first report covers most of the accomplishments of the last year. A crucial achievement was the mapping assessment workshops which broadened our partnership to 335 agencies, 46 NGOs and our geographic areas to include Kampot, Sihanoukville, Koh Kong. Another is our effective links to new mandated structures notably the District and Commune Committee for Women and Children. The Secretariat also improved on monitoring tools: the Partner Capacity Assessment Tool (PCAT) and the compliance monitoring for the provincial working groups. Our efforts against trafficking are further bolstered with the setting up of CNCC provincial secretariats in all provinces. This bring in new staff from various ministries/departments, but also poses a challenge as there is need for re-working or a re-start up of capacity building which were already done in the earlier actions. Public service to the poor is very important and exciting work. Every activity we conduct opens up new possibilities for changing people s knowledge, attitudes and practices; it fulfills peoples hopes for safe communities and brings people together. I m passionate about this work about the good it does and the importance it has. I will be a tireless advocate for all of our members. By focusing attention on Cambodia ACTs good performance, we can inspire stronger partnerships that together can deliver needed services to the beneficiaries we care for, to promote good practices in combating trafficking and share success. I ask you to support me in these efforts. Thank you again for your trust and confidence. Mr. Eang Seng Eev Secretary General of Cambodia ACTs 3

6 Cambodia Against Child Trafficking (Cambodia ACTs) is a non-profit organization, established in July 2001 in Khao Yai, Thailand. Asia ACTs, and seven other representatives from Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam met and agreed to fight the serious problem of child trafficking in Southeast Asia. Cambodia ACTs is an NGO network now composed of eleven NGOs, and has been working mainly to fight child trafficking in 9 provinces and the Phnom Penh municipality. In May 2003, Cambodia ACTs received a grant from Terre Des Hommes Germany to run an Anti-Child Trafficking Project along with their first six NGO Partners. Later, in 2005, Cambodia ACTs expanded from six to eleven partners. Then, to strengthen the network further, Cambodia ACTs registered with the Ministry of Interior on the 20th of January, VISION: We believe that every child should have a life free from the dangers of trafficking and sexual exploitation. We do this by transforming their lives for the better by helping children understand how valuable they are as citizens of our society. MISSION: Cambodia ACTs fights child trafficking and sexual exploitation through increased education and legal-services implemented countrywide by national NGOs and local networks at grass-root. 4

7 Cover Area CCASVA 34 villages, 4 communes Prey Kanlong, Ta Kou, Angkor Tret and Chea Klang, Po Reing and Svay Antor District, Prey Veng Province. CFS 48 villages, 6 communes Kamrieng, Boeung Reang, Ou Da, Trang, Ta Saen and Ta Krai, Kamrieng District, Battambang Province. CLA 91 villages, 8 communes Koh Roka, Koh Sampao, Rousey Srok, Prey Sambour, Banteay Chakri, Sena Reach Udom, Rom Chak, Preah, Sdach, Peam Chor and Preah Sdach District, and Prey Veng Province. COCD 19 villages, 4 communes Sat Pong, Baniev, Doun Yory and Krang Sbov, Chhuk District, and Kampot Province. CVD 31 villages, 4 communes Ta Sanh, Kampong Lpao and Sung, Samlot District, Battambang Province. CWCC 58 villages, 8 communes San Dek, Bakong, Balang, Kan Trang, Tropang Thom, Rolous, Mean Chey and Kampong Plok, Prasat Bakong District, Siem Reap Province. CWDA 103 villages, 6 communes Pon Saing, Snor, Kambol, Kantourk, Our Lork and Boeung Thom, Po Senchey District, and Phnom Penh. DCO 62 villages, 6 communes Tnot Chrum, Boeung Kontuot, Kampong Po, Or Sondan, Sna Ansa and Anlong Thnot, Krokor District, Pursat Province. SSO 38 villages, 8 communes Thnot, Samlie, Kse Tro, Thmey, Chres, Chantrea, Samrong, and Toul Sdey, Kampongro and Chantrea Districts, and Svay Rieng Province. VCAO 33 villages, 4 communes Preah Bat Chanchum, Kiri Chungkoh, Ang Prasat and Prey Ampov, Kirivong District, Takeo Province. 5

8 Structure of Cambodia ACTs 6

9 Executive Summary In 2012, with financial support from the EU, TdH-NL, KCF and ICWF, in the total budget amount of 281, USD, Cambodia ACTs and ten NGO partners implemented four projects: 1. Enhancing the Community to Prevent Human-Trafficking, Especially of Women and Children, and to Assist the Victims of Trafficking in Accessing Justice This project was in collaboration with ten of our NGO partners and the CNCC, it was supported by TdH-NL and the EU. It covered the following provinces; Takeo, Kandal, Prey Veng, Svay Rieng, Pursat, Battambang, Banteay Meanchey, Siem Reap, Koh Kong, Kampot, Preah Sihanouk, Pailen and Phnom Penh. The project focused on 1). Partnership with service providers to assess/mapping the implementation of the National Guidelines for the Protection of the Rights of Trafficked Children 2). Strengthening and integrating the Child Protection Network into mandated government structures such as the Commune Council for Women and Children, 3). Strengthening the cooperation and referral systems among service providers in order to provide legal service to the victims of trafficking, and 4). Broad awareness raising campaign to combat trafficking and related social abuses linked to trafficking. The activities in this project reached 8679 adults, including 4954 women and 11,777 children, including 6191 girls.. 2. Legal Support for Sexually Abused and Trafficked Children This project was supported by the KCF, it covered the following provinces; Phnom Penh, Takeo Kandal, Prey Veng, Svay Rieng, Pursat, Battambang, Banteay Meanchey, Pailen, and Siam Reap. Cambodia ACTs has received a total of 104 cases, involving a total of 106 victims (75 of rape, 11 of attempted rape and 18 of trafficking) and provided these cases with legal services, medical examinations, transportation, food and accommodation, all free of charge. Of the 75 rape cases, 14 remain pending at the courts, and 61 have been closed. Of the 11 cases of attempted rape, 1 remains pending at the courts, and 10 have been closed. Of the 18 cases of trafficking, 1 remains pending at the courts, and 17 are closed. 3. Advancing the cause for better protection of the rights of trafficked children in South East Asia This project was supported by TdH-NL and held in Phnom Penh Municipality. The results were that; On the 23rd June 2012 a Forum/Round Table Discussion on The Results of the Workshop on Recovery and Reintegration Process of Trafficking Children, was held at Hagar Catering, in Phnom Penh, with 25 participants in attendance. Assessments of the implementation of antichild-trafficking activities by stakeholders were collected. An assessment of the ASEAN/National Guidelines was also conducted, and a plan of action for the formation of support groups for trafficked children and their family members was outlined. 4. Community Capacity Building to Reduce the Damages Resulting from Child Labour This project was supported by ICWF and aimed to organize three training workshops. The first workshop was conducted by SSO on 5th September 2012 to strengthen the capacity of civil society and social service providers to cope with children s issues. On 26th-27th September 2012, a workshop on the Worst Forms of Child Labor, ILO 182 and the National Guidelines was conducted by VCAO in cooperation with DoSAVY. There were 35 participants. Child protection systems at the local-government level were developed and it was agreed that education and awareness-raising on labor and trafficking laws, as well as other UN protocol related to children, needed to be increased. On the 30th August 2012 a workshop on child-protection systems of referral was conducted by COCD in Kampot Province in order to establish a system of linkages among service providers in the province. There were 24 participants. It was decided that the CPN will monitor children working in the salt-making and agriculture industries and report any incidents to the Commune Committee, who would then intervene. 7

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11 1).Partnership with service providers to assess/mapping the implementation of the National Guidelines for the Protection of the Rights of Trafficked Children 1.1 Mapping Workshops Enhance Referral Services Among Stakeholders Cambodia ACTs collaborated with the CNCC in 2012 to conduct workshops that map services provided to children in compliance with the Minimum Standards and as defined by the needs of trafficking survivors or victims. Initially, the mapping of the services of NGO members of the Cambodia ACTs network was carried out. This progressed to the mapping/assessment of anti-trafficking stakeholders in 7 provinces: Battambang, Svay Reang, Takeo, Kampot, Siem Reap, Sihanoukville and Phnom Penh for provincial stakeholders from May 2 to June 21, The workshops were attended by 334 participants, of whom 128 were female, and coming from provincial offices for social affairs, women affairs, anti-trafficking police, health, education and labour and staff from 46 NGOs with service pro- grams against child trafficking from the continuum of care for prevention, rescue, center and community care to reintegration. The provincial workshops were capped by a National Workshop on August 23, 2012 with national stakeholder agencies and NGOs. The workshop was conducted in order to improve the knowledge on protection services using the National Guidelines for Protection of Rights of Trafficked Children, improving collaboration in the protection processes and addressing capacity gaps among duty bearers involved in the process. The national workshop was attended by 49 participants and presided over by Madame Khiev Borey, the Secretary General of CNCC over representatives from the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth (MOSVY), Ministry of Women s Affairs (MOWA) and Anti-human Trafficking Department (Ministry of Interior), the big coalitions and networks such as ECPAT, Chab Dai, NGOCRC, COSECAM, donors representative including EU and TdH-Netherlands. The workshops clarified the National Guidelines for the Protection of Trafficked Children and the Minimum Standards for Alternative Care. Discussion on the National Guidelines was carried out from province-to-commune level. But there is a need for staff to be familiar with the guidelines. Similar studies on center-based care should also be included in the findings of the mapping and assessment study. The oversight function of MOSVY over the operations of these institutions should be further strengthened. The workshops strengthened collaboration among government and non-government actors against child trafficking. Common awareness-raising activities were agreed upon. Workshop participants agreed to share information and act on priority systems to protect trafficked children through provincial-led referral systems. They also emphasized the need for training on the laws and to improve cooperation on the subject of fiscal and human resources. 9

12 2). Strengthening and integrating the Child Protection Network into mandated government structures such as the Commune Council for Women and Children 2.1 Village Safety Net Program Workshops Village Safety Net Program Workshops By Courtesy of CWDA The Village Safety Net Program (VSNP) workshops are conducted to raise awareness of target participants on the government s villagesafety program which includes issues of child trafficking in the community, relevant laws, situations of children in the community, socioeconomic, and health factors that lead to trafficking, as well as the obligation of each participant, based on their potential, to help eliminate child trafficking in their community. In 2012, NGO partners of Cambodia ACTs conducted seven sessions of Village Safety Net Program workshops in their project areas, which were attended by 430 participants, 190 of them children. The workshop was attended by District governors and leading staff of district offices for education and social affairs, district police, Commune Chiefs, school principals, and child peer educators. The workshops assessed the situation of the project areas, clarified social protection policies related to a villagesafety policy of government, and agreed upon 5 common priorities for actions to be undertaken as a village/community against trafficking. 2.2 Networking Meeting The promotion of collaboration, cooperation and consensus among service providers involved in a needs-based approach against trafficking is an important work shared by Cambodia ACTs and partners. It brings in not only the mandate but the experiences and resources of participating partners. Cambodia ACTs and the CNCC are partners in EU and TdH-NL funded activities against child trafficking, and have signed an official Memorandum of Agreement. The CNCC has the mandate to oversee child-related social protection programs through inter-agency working groups at the provincial level and through the provincial CNCC offices established in The CNCC and four NGO members of Cambodia ACTS (SSO, VCAO, COCD and CLA) organized 10 sessions of Quarterly Meetings in their project area, with 194 participants, including 61 females. The meetings promoted teamwork among different parties involved in prevention efforts and protection of trafficked children. Meetings were done at village, city/municipal and provincial level and attended by social workers, police, education, health, planning officers and NGOs that combat trafficking. The meeting discussed the roles and responsibilities of the CCWC, reports on the situation of vulnerable children and victims in their communities and action plans for prevention, rescue, reporting and referral of victimized children for support services. The meeting confirmed the collaboration of the CCWC and CPN at commune level. 10

13 3). Strengthening the cooperation and referral systems among service providers in order to provide legal service to the victims of trafficking. 3.1.Case-Management and Legal Services Cambodia ACTs collaborated with NGO partners, authorities, police, and the courts to provide legal services to the child victims of trafficking and sexual exploitation. After receiving cases from NGO partners, police and the court, the Senior Investigation Officer talks to the victims and start collecting the information for each case. The lawyer or legal assistant interviews the victims and files a complaint to the court. Cambodia ACTs send victims to a referral hospital to ensure the health and mental status of the victim and receive a medical expert s opinion for evidence. The Legal Unit staff look for witnesses and relevant documents to the case and submit these to the court. They also make an effort to locate the victim s parents or relatives and bring them to the victim for moral support. Cambodia ACTS has established referral services for victims of trafficking. There are victim s needs for shelter, medical care, psycho-social counseling, repatriation and reintegration, as well as alternative for livelihood beyond returning and being retrafficked. This referral system was established through a memorandum agreement with other service providers. Through the support from EU, and TdH-NL, Cambodia ACTs provided legal service to 22 victims (22 cases). Among the 22 cases, 6 are trafficking cases, 15 rape cases, 1 attempted rape. 8 cases were successful in trail and the perpetrators were sentenced from 1-10 years imprisonment and paid the compensation from 1 million to 10 million riels. All the 22 cases received the legal service from Cambodia ACTs, however, six cases were referred to shelters NGOs such as AFESIP, Chab Dai, Banteay Srey, and the American Rehabilitation Missionaries (ARM). The child victims referred to these NGOs received medical, counseling service, vocational training skill and so on. 11

14 4). Broad awareness-raising campaign to combat trafficking and related social abuses linked to trafficking Awareness-raising activities by child peer groups and the CPN By Courtesy of CWDA The Child Protection Network brings together government and non-government service providers, community leaders, parents and youth leaders. They are the mainstay in the conduct of activities to raise awareness about child trafficking in the community; they monitor cases of trafficking and report them to the authorities and provide information on the community especially on high-risk children and vulnerable families where children are at risk of domestic violence, child labour, migration for work, dropping out of school, etc. these cases are referred to service providers who mitigate the situation and help prevent trafficking. The network consolidates the voluntary efforts of participants who see their duty is to help eliminate child trafficking in their community. In 2012, there were 224 community information sessions led by the CPN and participated in by 6715 people, 4338 females. The members of the CPN conducted this awareness-raising session on child trafficking issues, laws relating to children, children s rights, violence and other issues, to their community in order to promote, prevent and protect their village against un-safe migration and encourage them to report cases if they fall victim to any of these issues themselves. Child peer groups are an essential component of the VSNP. In 2012, NGO partners of Cambodia ACTs conducted 139 sessions of child peer group meetings to raise awareness on trafficking and children s rights. The child peer group meetings involved 5249 children, including 2706 girls, in 14 districts, in 10 provinces. The peer educators play a very important role in raising awareness on trafficking and children s rights to vulnerable children at school and in their communities. The sessions confirmed that children gained knowledge about their rights and ways to protect themselves from being abused and trafficked, as well as enabling them to articulate trafficking consciousness among other youth. This awareness-raising allows the people in the community to understand the dangers of migration and child abuse and the procedures used to report suspicious cases in the community. Progress reports by leaders of the CPN cited that there are a higher number of reports of perpetrators recruiting for illegal job migration, and that prospective job migrants consult with their Head of Commune or a Child Protection member if they are considering travelling to the city or another province to look for work. They said that the information that they learned from the training sessions has been useful in protecting themselves from being trafficked, abused and exploited. 12

15 By Courtesy of CWDA The Child Peer Educators of Cambodia ACTs are meant to strengthen faith among children promising them a better future and that in study, in play, in helping do chores at home and in helping other children, their skills gradually improve, their confidence grows, their dreams are worth their efforts and can be achieved. Youen Vannet, a 13-year old girl, in Kbal Thnal village in Svay Rieng, is a Child Peer Educator with the Santi Senna Organization (SSO). She has two younger siblings and her family live in a small house, her parents are farmers. She used to be afraid of standing and speaking in public, but SSO s anti-child trafficking project trained her on children s rights. She said, I am now confident to talk about children s rights with my parents and classmates. She has educated other children in her school and community. She has become more assured as a child-peer group member. She said her interest in being a child peer was that I can help other poor friends who want to learn about children s rights and child exploitation. I changed from being scared to being brave to help the peer group and other students. She dreams of attending university, to graduate and to find a job. By Courtesy of CFS My desire is to become a doctor... I want to become a doctor to be able to help people who are less fortunate in society. Those affected most are small children, and I want to be able to help them. I want to become a doctor so as I can make sick people have a great smile again I can attribute much of my wanting to become a doctor to my experiences as a child peer but also to the reading I do. Doctors are meant to be selfless. Even now, being a peer educator is being in a position to serve people. 13

16 th December Campaign Against Human Trafficking By Courtesy of CWCC The Campaign to celebrate the National Day Against Human Trafficking was organized by partners of Cambodia ACTs in 10 provinces and cities. The campaign was conducted on a national scale, aiming to mobilize participation and to strengthen the cooperation of major stakeholders such as; senior government officials, NGOs, local authorities, the media, schools and children. During the campaign, there were student marches, inspirational speeches made by the president of the ceremony (deputy provincial governors, or head of district governors), commitments made by local authorities, a review of the background of the 12th December, role plays performed by children, traditional dancing performances, and question/answer sessions. There were 6714 participants, and 80 percent of them were children. The campaign was an effective way to advocate the government to take more action on the prevention and protection of child trafficking, to raise awareness among the public on issues of trafficking, especially child trafficking. Through the activities conducted during the campaign, tips were given to children and guardians and the general public, to clearly understand trafficking and be able to protect themselves and their children from being trafficked. This event was fully supported by government officials, local authorities, and the general public. By Courtesy of SSO Province Venue # of Participant female Phnom Penh Wat Ong Boeung Chork, Sangkat Kambol Siam Reap Cambodia Red Cross at Siem Reap province Prey Veng Prey Veng Town Kompot at Education Youth and Sport office in Chhuk district Battambang at Kamrieng district hall, Battambang province Battambang at Samlot district hall, Battambang province Pursat at Kan Dieng district hall, Pursat province Svay Reang Svay Rieng town, Svay Rieng province Takeo at Sok An Tonlob high school, Takeo province Banteay Meanchey and Koh Kong Conducted by CNCC and the Provincial Coordination Total Total

17 Project Title: Legal Support for Sexually Abused and Trafficked Children Period: 1st January st December 2012 Location: Phnom Penh, Takeo Kandal, Prey Veng, Svay Rieng, Pursat, Battambang, Banteay Meanchey, Pailin, and Siam Reap Funder: Kadoorie Charitable Foundation Collaborating Members: CCASVA, CFS, COCD, CVD, CWCC, CWDA, CLA, DCO, Santi Sena, VCAO and Khemara. Collaborating Non-Members: ADHOC, AFESIP, ARM, Banteay Srey, CCPCR, Hagar, KNKS, Licadho, World Hope Goal: To ensure that victims of sexual exploitation and trafficking have access to justice and are safeguarded and given development opportunities in their home communities. 15

18 Results: Providing Legal Assistance In order to support victims of sexual exploitation and trafficking Cambodia Act s provides them with free necessary legal services. The results of this are that we have received 104 cases (75 of rape, 11 of attempted rape and 18 of trafficking) and provided these cases with legal services at court, medical examinations, transportation, food and accommodation, all free of charge. Evidence collected specifically by Cambodia ACTs that led to the successful sentencing of perpetrators in 88 cases; 61 cases of rape where the perpetrators were jailed for 5 to 10 years and made to pay compensation to their victim in the amount of 1 to 10 million riels. 11 cases of attempted rape where the perpetrators were jailed for 1 to 10 years and made to pay compensation to their victim in the amount of 2 to 5 million riels. 16 cases of trafficking where the perpetrators were jailed for 10 to 12 years and made to pay compensation to their victim in the amount of 3 to 10 million riels. Cambodia ACTs collaborates and receives victim referrals from the Department of Anti- Trafficking and Juvenile Protection, NGOs such as ADHOC, and 11 of Cambodia ACT s NGOs partners in 10 provinces. Cambodia ACT s provides legal services for these victims referred to us. A result of this was that certain cases received were of a very serious nature such as rape or trafficking committed by the victim s relative, rape victims as young as 3-15 years, and cases of gang rape. Victim Referrals Cambodia ACTs refers victims to various safe shelters in order to provide them with the support necessary for their recovery and vocational training. 12 victims were referred to partner NGOs and shelters by Cambodia ACTs; 4 victims were sent to the ARM shelter, 3 to World Hope (Siam Reap), 1 to AFESIP, 1 to CCPCR (Svay Rieng), 1 to Hagar, 1 to CWDA, and 1 to Neavea Thmey (Phnom Penh). These victims are now studying at school. Assessment Visits Cambodia ACTs conducts frequent visits to child-victims homes in order to assess the success of their reintegration, any changes, needs, and challenges. Results of this were that a total of 82 assessment visits were conducted, 5 times by the National Coordinator, 37 by Investigation Officers, and 40 times by the Legal Assistant in Banteay Meanchey, Battambang, Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, Kandal, Prey Veng, Svay Rieng and Takeo Provinces. Victims were asked about their daily lives in order to ensure that they were in a safe environment without threat from the perpetrator or other relevant people. The victims have been reintegrated into their school and some families have been provided with the capability to sustain a farm or other such small business. 16

19 Sexual exploitation of children is a problem that poses an alarming trend. Since 2011, the Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC) reported 467 rape cases based on 501 complaints of rape and indecent assault, an increase of 9% from 2009 and in 2012, some 320 were reported; the figures may well be higher since rape is underreported. What is worse is that the figures indicate that around 90% of the reported rapes were committed by children or young people and approximately one in three rape victims were between the ages of 13 and 17. One contributing factor in child rape is impunity. Oftentimes, perpetrators of rape are never jailed, either because the victim is scared of the possible societal repercussions of exposing themselves as a rape victim in court or because the victim accepts an out-of-court settlement. The legal process, which is based on evidence, itself presents a challenge; local authorities are asked to certify who the perpetrator is and provide evidence, however sometimes local authorities fail to do this as they do not wish to be involved. Children s access to the legal process, the strengthening of their faith in law enforcement and a push for effectiveness of the courts will significantly reduce rape and violent crime against minors. Cambodia ACTs legal unit was established especially for this purpose, while focused on anti-trafficking cases, child rape cases are increasingly being attended to by the legal unit. There were a total of 22 cases of rape, attempted rape and trafficking received and attended to by the legal services unit in The following are two successfully tried cases: On 31st June 2009, at around 24:30am, the perpetrator, Kong, 22 years old, who lives in Bakan district, Pursat province went into the victim s house. Sreykeo, 14 years old, lives in her aunts house with her brother Saron, 4 years old, as they are orphans. She was sleeping when Kong pinned her hands, hugged and undressed her, then raped her. The victim could not move and the perpetrator strangled her so that she could not shout. After committing the crime, Kong threatened to kill her if she told anyone. She was brave however, and told her aunt what had happened. Her aunt went to the police and filed a complaint against the perpetrator. Cambodia ACTs then received this case from ADHOC. On the 11th of September, 2012, this case went to trial and the judge sentenced the perpetrator to 7 years. He was also made to pay compensation to the victim in the amount of 3 million riels. Neng Srey was 15 years old and was trafficked in She was a garment factory worker in Kandal province. One day, she came into contact with two perpetrators who were living near her factory, they promised her a well-paid job in Malaysia. The first perpetrator was 27 years old and the second was 28 years old, they were later arrested by the police. Neng Srey was referred to the NGO, Chab Dai, where she received services for accommodation, food, vocational training, and counseling. Chab Dai sought legal service aid from Cambodia ACTs in order to file a complaint on behalf of the victim and, help her throughout the court process. The case went to trial on the 26th of July 2012 and the perpetrators were sentenced to 7 years. Response to this case refelcted good court cooperation and fast processing. NGOs working in the field of trafficking understood the intervention process and were able to take effective action to handle the case in cooperation with one another and the courts. Documented by Ms. Kim Vannary, Investigation Officer of Cambodia ACTs 17

20 Goal: To create a forum/round-table discussion on the results of the workshop on the recovery and reintegration processes of trafficked children. This was to serve as a venue to develop or improve the recovery and reintegration programs as well as to strengthen the Child Protection Networks. Result: On 23 rd July 2012, at Hagar Catering, Cambodia ACTs in cooperation with Asia ACTs conducted a Forum/Round Table Discussion on The Results of the Workshop on Recovery and Reintegration Process of Trafficking Children, there were 25 participants. As a result of the workshop many recommendations on the consolidate workshop were given. Assessments of the implementation of stakeholders relating to child-trafficking activities were collected. An assessment of the ASEAN/National Guidelines was also conducted, and a plan of action for the formation of support groups for trafficked children and their family members was outlined. The workshop was under presided by Head of DoSAVY of Phnom Penh, Country of TdH-NL, Chairman of Cambodia ACTs, National Coordinator of Cambodia ACTs and National Trainer of Asia ACTs. 18

21 Goal: To organize a series of workshops addressing such issues as; The ways in which service-providers respond to the rescue, recovery, and reintegration processes of victims, as aligned with the national guidelines on alternative care. The National Plan of Action Against the Worst Forms of Child Labour , and its challenges The strengthening of capacity-building on a local level in order to meet the reduced WFCL target The establishment of cooperation among service-providers in Kampot Province which will provide the continuum of services required by victims, including the mobilization of community action against the WFCL. 19

22 Results; On the 5th of September, 2012 a workshop to strengthen the capacity of civil society and social service providers to cope with children s issues was conducted by SSO. There were 23 participants. As a result of this workshop, the CNCC set up a Provincial Secretariat to ensure that the WFCL are eliminated by Child Peer Groups were integrated into the education of children s issues. The Head of DoSAVY and the Deputy of CNCC, Svay Rieng Province, welcomed the comments, ideas, and By Courtesy of SSO solutions on the identification of gaps in childprotection services. In addition, the roles of relevant stakeholders were established and monthly meetings were arranged to monitor progress of the action plan. On the 26 th and 27 th of September, 2012, a workshop on the Worst Forms of Child Labor, ILO 182 and the National Guidelines was conducted by VCAO in cooperation with DoSAVY. There were 35 participants. Child protection systems at the local government level were developed and it was agreed that education and awareness-raising on labor laws, trafficking laws and other UN protocol related to children needed to be increased. Emerging issues and gaps of the National Plan Against the WFCL as well as child trafficking were identified as; Children working in the salt industry Children working in the agriculture industry, particularly in fishing where they are trafficked to Indonesia or other countries via the fishing boats. Children working in the brick field industry as it is dangerous work Children forced to work as beggars/ flower sellers on the street in Ho Chi Minh or Bangkok Children forced to work as garbage collectors in cities. By Courtesy of COCD On the 30th of August, 2012, a workshop on child-protection systems of referral was conducted by COCD in Kampot Province in order to set up a system of linkages among service providers in the province. There were 24 participants. It was decided that the CPN will monitor children working in the salt-making and agriculture industries and report any incidents to the Commune Committee, who would then intervene. Various NGOs pledged to ensure that child garbage collectors receive proper food, education, and training opportunities in their communities. In addition, the roles and responsibilities of relevant stakeholders were established and monthly meetings arranged to monitor the progress of the action plan committed during the workshop. 20

23 Secretariat Activities General Assembly Meeting On the 30th of January, 2013, Cambodia ACTs conducted its 2nd General Assembly Meeting, attended by Cambodia ACT s Board Members, members, and Secretariat Staff, including the new National Coordinator; Mr. Eav Seng Eav. There was an update of the annual progress report, a discussion of the strategic plan, approval of two new NGO members; Khemara and FLOW, and the election of a new term of Board Members; Mr. Ung Pola as Chairman, Mrs. Hun Phanna as Vice Chairman, Mr. Phok Bunroeun as Treasurer, and Mrs. Pok Panha Vichetr, and Mr. Chea Pyden as members. The new committee will be in effect from March 2012 to February Partner Meetings The 14th partner Meeting was conducted in March 2012 with 31 participants and discussed the update of Cambodia ACTs Structure, the Individual Review of the Outcome, Output, challenges to the project Anti-Child Trafficking, the Accomplishment Matrix from January 2010-to March 2012 and assessment using the Quantitative Indicator Monitoring sheet (QIM). The 15th Partner Meeting was conducted in September 2012, with 25 participants and discussed the Individual Review of the Project Target Area, the Action Plan of the CNCC and it s links to Cambodia ACTs plan, on Progress -Report writing, referral, advocacy, the Legal Services Project and the tools to use in Assessment and Mapping. Both meetings saw the adoption of monitoring and assessment tools which improved reporting systems. 21

24 Partner Capacity Assessment Tool (PCAT) Cambodia ACTs conducted an internal-capacity assessment, or PCAT, in order to comply with the requirements of our donor TdH-NL. We utilized PCAT to assess our project partners. The results of the PCAT assessment were that Cambodia ACTs partners defined the weaknesses and revealed the strengths of each partner. Board Meetings On the 30th of May, 2012, Cambodia Acts conducted the first of two board meetings. During this board meeting, the findings and recommendations of the project review and project staffing were discussed. There was also a discussion held on the Global Project Proposal and the resignation of National Coordinator of Cambodia ACTs.. On the 25th of September, 2012, the second board meeting was held. During this meeting the Operation Manual of the Secretariat was adopted. The staff salary scale was discussed and the job description and procedure to recruit the New National Coordinator to take over Mr. Song Saran was agreed upon. Workshop on the development of a monitoring plan On 10th September 2012, Cambodia ACTs Secretariat organized and held a workshop for Cambodia ACTs staff and partners in order to develop a monitoring plan of ongoing projects. 22

25 Monitoring Visit The monitoring visits were conducted by the Chairman, National Coordinator, Technical Adviser, Finance Officer, Administrative Officer, and Project Assistant. We conducted the monitoring together with project staff to see their activities, and met with the direct beneficiaries to ensure that the project activities were reaching them. This strengthened the relationship between the project staff and local authorities at the project sites and met the objective of the project. Mr. Leanghor and Mrs. Maria, EU representatives, monitored the CFS project at Kamrieng District, Battambang Province. Mr. Leanghor and Mrs. Maria, EU representatives, monitored the CVD project at Samlot District, Battambang Province. Mr. Piseth, Country Coordinator of TdH-NL, monitored the SSO project at Kampongro District, Svay Rieng Province. 23

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28 Partners of Cambodia ACTs 26

29 5. CHILDREN AND LIFE ASSOCIATION (CLA) Ms. Buth Saman, Executive Director Mr. Moun Nean, Project Coordinator Mr. Sambath Ratana, Trainer Address: #9BEo, St. 390, Ext. 30, Sangkat Boeung Keng Kang 3, Khan Khan Chamkar Morn, Phnom Penh, Kingdom of Cambodia. Phone: , P.O Box: 2577 CCC Box: CAMBODIAN ORGANIZATION FOR CHILDREN AND DEVELOPMENT (COCD) Mr. Ung Pola, Executive Director Mr. Bin Bora, Project Coordinator Ms. Khiev Sinet, Trainer House 34, Street 480, Sangkat Phsar Doem Thkov, Khan Chamkar Morn, Phnom Penh,Kingdom of Cambodia Phone: ( ) / ( ) Website: 7. CAMBODIA FAMILY SUPPORT (CFS) Dr. ENG Samnang, Executive Director Mr. Eng Pheachnea, Project Coordinator House #400, Kapko Thmei village, Sangkat Ocha, Battambang Telephone/Fax: , Website: 8. DISADVANTAGED CAMBODIAN ORGANIZATION (DCO) Mr. Touch Narin, Executive Director Mr. Hem Pheach, Project Coordinator Address:#173,St.592, Sangkat Boeung II, Khan Toul Kok, Phnom Penh,. Website: 27

30 9. VULNERABLE CHILDREN ASSISTANCE ORGANIZATION (VCAO) Mr. Chea Pyden, Executive Director Mr. Sok Visoth, Project Coordinator Mr. Bann Sokun, Trainer Address: #72, Street 608, Sangkat Beung KakII, Khan Toul Kork, Phnom Penh, Cambodia. 10. SANTI-SENA ORGANIZATION (SSO) Venerable Nhem Kim Teng, Executive Director Mr. Chea Sopheara, Project Coordinator Mr. Khav Sokhoeun, Trainer Address: Prey Chlak, Sangkat Prey Chlak, Svay Rieng City,Svay Rieng provine, Cambodia 28

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32 This Report is available at the Secretariat of Cambodia ACTs Office and free download from its website in the below address: No 32, Street 528, Sangkat Boeung Kak I, Khan Toul Kork, Phnom Penh, the kingdom of Cambodia. Tel: +(855 23) Website: