“Children First”: An Initial Exploration of Sexually Harmful Behaviours Among Cambodian Children
This report addresses the issue of sexually harmful behaviors (SHB) among Cambodian children and outlines recommendations for addressing the problem. The report emphasizes the importance of building trusting relationships with children and families, adopting a holistic approach, and providing training and support for staff. It also recommends reviewing and revising child protection policies and strategies to ensure the inclusion and mainstreaming of SHB as a child protection issue. The report provides key components of training for organizations working to protect children, along with recommendations for donors, UN agencies, media, and research.
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Executive Summary
This technical report presents an initial exploration of sexually harmful behaviors among Cambodian children. The authors are Jarrett Davis, Alastair Hilton, and Nong Socheat, and the report is titled "Children First: An Initial Exploration of Sexually Harmful Behaviours Among Cambodian Children."
In recent years, social practitioners in Cambodia have become increasingly aware of the phenomenon of abusive or harmful sexual behaviors among children. Evidence from NGOs and reports within national media also demonstrate that this is a significant problem within many families, institutions, and communities across the country. Despite this reality, education and training, research, and even general information on the matter is virtually nonexistent. As a result, social welfare and criminal justice responses lack support, clarity, and coordination, leaving children and young people vulnerable to serious harm and abuse.
Global evidence reveals this to be a considerable problem in many countries. For example, research in the UK indicates that at least one-third of all sexual offenses against children and young people are committed by other children and young people (Hackett, 2016). Furthermore, 60% of individuals experiencing contact sexual abuse as children in the UK were abused by someone under the age of 18 (Radford et al. 2011). While research in Southeast Asia on sexually harmful behaviors among children is virtually nonexistent, a P4P study on violence against women in Asia and the Pacific (2013) indicated that among a sampling of 210 males who had committed rape, more than half (53%) had committed their first act prior to the age of 19.
In response to this growing issue, the 'Children First' Family Safety & Support Project was a three-year research/capacity building project that took place in three general regions of Cambodia (Siem Reap, Preah Sihanouk, and Phnom Penh). This project drew together staff, management, and social workers from three partner organizations: M’Lop Tapang (MT), First Step Cambodia (FSC), and Angkor Hospital for Children (AHC) to work with cases of children and young people who sexually harm others or children involved with sexually harmful behaviors in which an alleged ‘victim’ may not be clear. The staff from the three partner organizations absorb referrals into their work, open cases, and carry out initial and in-depth assessments of risk and need. They also utilize the FSC Case Management System (CMS) to plan, devise, and implement interventions — providing services and support to children and families.
The project utilizes both in-depth (qualitative) and initial (quantitative) assessment tools, developed and modified for the Cambodian context, to explore the lives and experiences of children with sexually harmful behaviors (SHB), through an analysis of 21 in-depth assessments of such cases in Cambodia and develop a broader understanding of the risk and vulnerability factors present in these cases. This research will explore the needs and vulnerabilities of such children, how they are perceived, and attempt to build a stronger understanding of how social practitioners can better address their often complex needs. Support and service plans were developed for each child, and those experiences also informed the development of recommendations.
This project aims to increase the understanding and awareness of Cambodian children with sexually harmful behaviors and lead to the building of the capacity of local social practitioners, carers, and the broader NGO and governmental communities. Ultimately, the project aims to contribute to the development of social policy, protocol, and practice to meet the dynamic needs of children and their families, ensuring that they grow up in safer and more supportive environments. While the focus of this project is on children displaying harmful sexual behaviors, the nature of the work of all partners involved (working with victims and survivors of abuse and their families) also enables cross-referencing and data comparison.
Objectives
To understand the dynamics related to situations where children display sexually harmful behaviours (SHB)
To explore the vulnerabilities and needs of Cambodian children with SHB
To raise awareness of SHB as a gap in current social service provision.
To build a stronger understanding of how social practitioners can better address the often complex needs of children with sexually harmful behaviours.
Key Findings
The study finds that no single factor leads to a child's involvement in sexually harmful behaviour. However, there were clear patterns of neglect from parents and carers, experiences of and exposure to various forms of violence, and feelings of isolation which arose from in-depth assessments. Furthermore, children in the study had common exposure to pornography and the sexual behaviours of others throughout the dataset. Prior to intervention, communities and families often put children with harmful behaviours at increased risk of severe forms of punishment, further violence, stigma, and increased isolation. In addition, social service providers lacked knowledge and faced challenges in addressing SHB.
Key Recommendations
The study recommends increased support and training on this often unseen issue and highlights the need for a specialist project or projects dedicated to developing a better understanding of this issue across the spectrum of social service providers. The research also calls for the mainstreaming of SHB as a key child protection concern and its inclusion system-wide in child protection policies. Initiatives that build upon ‘what works’ in relation to prevention, protection, and support for children and families are recommended, along with exploring options for psycho-social support. The study encourages building a better understanding of isolation and violence as it pertains to SHB and looking into various vulnerabilities within communities, families, and at the individual level.
