In a significant step towards enhancing child safety, subnational officials in Preah Sihanouk Province have pledged to strengthen child protection efforts following a training session organized by the Secretariat of the Anti-Human Trafficking Committee of Preah Sihanouk Province and APLE. The training, titled “Preventing and Responding to Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse,” took place on August 28, 2025, and involved 40 frontline officials who are members of the Secretariat and the six working groups of the Anti-Human Trafficking Committee of Preah Sihanouk Province (PCCT).
The training, funded by Terre des Hommes Netherlands, aimed to enhance participants’ knowledge and skills regarding the use of the Internet, online communication among children and youth, and the potential risks they face. By equipping officials with effective strategies, the program sought to empower them to better prevent and respond to incidents of online child sexual exploitation and abuse.
Her Excellency Mark Samnang, Vice Governor and Chairwoman of the PCCT’s Secretariat, presided over the session. She encouraged all participants to actively engage in the training, emphasizing the importance of acquiring knowledge and skills. Furthermore, she urged them to share what they learned with children, youth, and community members to foster a collaborative effort in preventing and addressing cases of child exploitation and abuse online.
The commitment from Preah Sihanouk officials marks a proactive approach to safeguarding the well-being of children in the digital age, reinforcing the province’s dedication to creating a safer online environment for its youth. This training is just one of the many steps being taken to enhance child protection initiatives and highlights the importance of ongoing education and community involvement in combating online threats.
