The 11% of children aged 12 to 17 who use the internet in Cambodia suffered online sexual exploitation and abuse during 2020, the year before a study by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Ministry of Social Affairs of that country.
The report Disrupting Harm (Disturbing damage), released this Tuesday and based on a series of surveys, revealed that of this universe of children, the 16% were subjected to sexual comments about them that made them feel uncomfortable, 31% of the cases occurred on social networks.
In addition, 9% of the children and adolescents surveyed received unwanted requests to share sexual images themselves.
Another finding was that online sexual exploitation and abuse were more aimed at boys than at girls, and included unwelcome invitations to share images or videos showing their private parts, as well as being threatened or blackmailed into engaging in sexual activities.
Stigma and taboos
Despite feeling very attacked, complaints from children were very fewlargely due to stigma and taboos related to sexual issues, UNICEF explained, adding that of the accusations made, few used formal mechanisms.
Another of the most common barriers to reporting was that children they didn’t know where to go or who to tell.
In this sense, a parent stressed that vulnerable children do not know who can help them. “Sharing information about it will help children to be brave enough to expose what they are experiencing“, said.
The children who recounted their experiences stressed that they felt shame and fear when talking about sex or report what had happened to them.
A front-line worker who participated in the study pointed out that the Cambodian is a culture in which there is no talk of sex. “The percentage of unreported cases of sexual abuse is high because sometimes children are afraid or shy to talk about it. When abuse has happened, they are often too afraid to speak up because of this culture,” she said.
increased awareness
The report highlighted the need to create greater awareness of the options available to address these crimes because, in general, people do not understand the legal process involved and the reporting process.
In addition, law enforcement agencies in Cambodia have limited access to specialized training and They don’t have the necessary staff. to properly manage cases related to online child sexual exploitation and abuse.
To help keep child Internet users safe, the report recommends better reporting child sexual exploitation and abuse online throughout the country, a measure that can also contribute to breaking down stigma and taboos, increasing complaints and allocating the necessary resources to address the problem.
UNICEF said it will continue to work with the Cambodian government and its partners to prevent and respond to this cyber scourge by improving data collection and coordination, strengthening monitoring, increasing the capacity of local law enforcement to investigate cases and improving case management and victim support.
It will also search increase children’s digital awareness, knowledge and skillsteens, parents, caregivers, and teachers so kids can better protect themselves online.
The report Disrupting Harm was part of the Safer Internet Initiative launched in 2019 by the Global Alliance to End Violence Against Children.
