Cambodia continues to live in the shadow of the Khmer Rouge. In the 1970s, under the reign of Pol Pot, the country became isolated from the outside world as the regime turned its back on money, education, healthcare and the family.
At least one million people died during this era as a result of hunger, sickness, mass purges and executions. Years of fighting have devastated Cambodia’s infrastructure and caused extreme social, economic and political dislocation, as well as psychological and physical trauma for the population.
As a result, Cambodia remains one of the world’s poorest nations. Many people survive on daily incomes of less than US$1 (70p) a day, and children are relied on to help increase the family income by working as porters, street sellers or daily labourers. Wealth and employment opportunities are concentrated in urban areas so many children migrate to the capital, leading to a breakdown in the family unit and an increase in the number of children on the streets.
In Battambang Province there are around 700 children who live and work on the streets. These children are living on the streets for many different reasons, including the loss of one or both parents, violence at home or low family income. On the streets, they experience high levels of discrimination and violence with no protection from the authorities.
To prevent children from moving to the streets
To protect children living and working on the streets
Reintegrating children back into communities and safe, secure family environments
Under current Cambodian law, children are tried in the same courts as adults and imprisoned with adult offenders. In prison, they often face abuse from other prisoners, police officers and prison guards. There is little or no access to education and inadequate food, hygiene and medical care. The absence of care or rehabilitation while in prison means that children are ill-equipped to return to society. In fact, 6 out of 10 children are re-arrested for even more serious crimes after their release.