Thursday October 12, 2006
(Kyodo) - Violence against children is a global problem, but in Cambodia a recent study suggests, cases remain largely invisible, the Phnom Penh arm of UNICEF said Thursday.
"Children are afraid or unable to report or society simply accepts it as inevitable and normal," it said in a report.
The study suggests small children are at greatest risk of physical violence while adolescents are more likely to risk sexual violence and abuse, with rape continuing to be the most commonly reported offence committed against women and children.
"A total of 2,202 cases of rape, debauchery (consensual sexual acts with minors under 15 years), trafficking and sexual exploitation of women and children were reported from 2002 to 2005, with rape accounting for 75 percent of these cases," the report says. "A total of 1,047 arrests were made for the offence of rape, rising from just 25 in 2001 to 266 in 2005."
Various small-scale studies from around the world reveal certain groups of children are most vulnerable to violence, including children with disabilities, children of ethnic minorities, children living or working on the streets and children in conflict with the law.
In all cases, the most important protective factor is the presence of a caring parent or adult guardian in a child's life, the report says.
The report covers violence in five key settings -- the home, school, the care and justice systems, the community and the workplace.
"Efforts to prevent and respond to such violence must be multifaceted," the report says, referring to the study that recommended states prioritize preventing violence against children by addressing its underlying causes.
The report notes Cambodia has many initiatives to enhance public awareness and train local authorities and professionals by and through a number of government's institutions.
But it suggests that more could be done to protect children from violence in all settings.
"Violence against children is not the prerogative of any adult, parent or teacher. It is extremely damaging to the individual and to our society and should never be tolerated or condoned," said Rodney Hatfield, UNICEF representative in Cambodia.
Now, Cambodia has no national child-friendly reporting mechanisms through which children can easily and safely report acts of violence committed against them, the report says.
"Without formal reporting and data collection systems, most cases of violence against children in Cambodia will remain invisible, never reported or recorded at all," it adds.
In June, three international organizations released a report saying more than half Cambodian children aged 7 to 14 are engaged in economic activities, which is considered very high compared with other countries with similar levels of income.
"Children are afraid or unable to report or society simply accepts it as inevitable and normal," it said in a report.
The study suggests small children are at greatest risk of physical violence while adolescents are more likely to risk sexual violence and abuse, with rape continuing to be the most commonly reported offence committed against women and children.
"A total of 2,202 cases of rape, debauchery (consensual sexual acts with minors under 15 years), trafficking and sexual exploitation of women and children were reported from 2002 to 2005, with rape accounting for 75 percent of these cases," the report says. "A total of 1,047 arrests were made for the offence of rape, rising from just 25 in 2001 to 266 in 2005."
Various small-scale studies from around the world reveal certain groups of children are most vulnerable to violence, including children with disabilities, children of ethnic minorities, children living or working on the streets and children in conflict with the law.
In all cases, the most important protective factor is the presence of a caring parent or adult guardian in a child's life, the report says.
The report covers violence in five key settings -- the home, school, the care and justice systems, the community and the workplace.
"Efforts to prevent and respond to such violence must be multifaceted," the report says, referring to the study that recommended states prioritize preventing violence against children by addressing its underlying causes.
The report notes Cambodia has many initiatives to enhance public awareness and train local authorities and professionals by and through a number of government's institutions.
But it suggests that more could be done to protect children from violence in all settings.
"Violence against children is not the prerogative of any adult, parent or teacher. It is extremely damaging to the individual and to our society and should never be tolerated or condoned," said Rodney Hatfield, UNICEF representative in Cambodia.
Now, Cambodia has no national child-friendly reporting mechanisms through which children can easily and safely report acts of violence committed against them, the report says.
"Without formal reporting and data collection systems, most cases of violence against children in Cambodia will remain invisible, never reported or recorded at all," it adds.
In June, three international organizations released a report saying more than half Cambodian children aged 7 to 14 are engaged in economic activities, which is considered very high compared with other countries with similar levels of income.
4 comments:
Dear Countrymates,
Please give hand to our children on what ways to can.
If the Cambodia Royal Police force and Army are not reform we can not do any thing , we are living under new colony communistyle.
We may need to dare to die again to survive! Thank to help Communis legal in Cambodia UNTAC!!!!!!!!!!
Cambodia can get all the help in the world and it will not going to change or improve anything as long as the Vietcong still maintaining a puppet government and Vietcong military apparatus!
Cambodian people don't have much choice except to destroy everything the Vietcong stand for!
AH HUN SEN is the representation of the Vietcong government and it must be destroyed! If AH HUN SEN can play dirty politic and Cambodian people can play dirty politic too!
Damn to the UNTAC and damn to all the world community for making the Vietcong puppet government as the legitmate government in the eye of Cambodian people!
Damn to all those stupid Cambodian people for laying down their weapons and willing to slave the Vietcong!
To: 2:49am
Today, I like to join you and say Damm to Mr. Howard of Autralia as well!
For his blindness and holding hand with a Cambodian- Vietcong Hun Sen! Damm you MR. Howard!!!!!!
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