When 8-year-old Sophea* walked into the police station with her grandmother, she clutched a worn stuffed animal and refused to make eye contact with any of the adults around her. Like many children who have experienced sexual abuse, she carried invisible wounds that made trust feel impossible and speaking feel dangerous. But when the police officer gently guided them into a special room with soft yellow walls, comfortable cushions, and age-appropriate books scattered on low tables, something began to shift.

This scene has played out more than 570 times since 2023 in Cambodia’s Child-Friendly Interview Rooms, specially designed spaces where young survivors of sexual exploitation and abuse can share their experiences with dignity, comfort, and safety. For children like Sophea, these rooms represent the difference between silence and justice, between re-traumatization and healing.

Child sexual exploitation and abuse remain serious concerns in Cambodia, requiring strong cooperation among law enforcement, social services, and protection agencies. Children who experience these harms often carry deep physical, emotional, and psychological wounds that make participating in the legal process feel overwhelming. Many feel ashamed, fearful, and unable to trust adults, making it extremely difficult for them to explain what happened to them.

Recognizing these challenges, APLE Cambodia has worked closely with the National Police since 2015 to establish five Child-Friendly Interview Rooms located at the Department of Anti-Human Trafficking and Juvenile Protection and in the provincial police stations of Kandal, Siem Reap, Battambang, and Kampot. These aren’t just ordinary interview rooms with a few toys thrown in—they’re thoughtfully designed healing spaces with soft colors, comfortable seating, child-appropriate artwork, and calming environments that prioritize emotional safety alongside investigative needs.

Each room tells children that their comfort matters. Instead of harsh fluorescent lighting and intimidating metal desks, survivors find warm lamps, colorful cushions, and spaces designed at their eye level. The message is clear from the moment they enter: this is a place where their voices will be heard and their experiences will be treated with respect.

The magic happens when specially trained, child-sensitive police officers conduct interviews using techniques that minimize harm and help children feel understood and protected. These officers have undergone intensive training in trauma-informed interviewing, child psychology, and specialized investigative procedures for cases involving Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse. They understand that a child’s healing journey and the pursuit of justice don’t have to be at odds—in fact, they can strengthen each other.

The impact has been profound and measurable. Between 2023 and June 2025, more than 570 children benefited from interviews conducted in these specialized rooms. Feedback collected from officers and families reveals the powerful difference these spaces make in transforming what could be a traumatic experience into the first step toward healing and justice.
One police officer shared the remarkable consistency of positive responses: “One hundred percent of children and families expressed feelings of warmth, comfort, privacy, and confidence when describing what happened to them.” This isn’t just a feel-good statistic—it represents a fundamental shift in how the justice system interacts with its most vulnerable participants.

This high level of trust creates a ripple effect throughout the entire investigation and healing process. When children feel protected rather than pressured, they can communicate more openly and provide clearer information about their experiences. This openness helps police officers build stronger, more accurate cases and collect reliable accounts and evidence that can withstand legal scrutiny. Most importantly, it reduces the risk of re-traumatizing child survivors during what should be a step toward justice, not another source of harm.

The rooms also help officers gain the trust of families and communities who may have previously been skeptical about bringing sensitive cases to law enforcement. When parents see their children treated with genuine care and respect, they become partners in the justice process rather than reluctant participants. This community trust is essential for identifying and prosecuting cases that might otherwise remain hidden.

For young survivors like Sophea, the child-friendly interview room became a place where her voice mattered. Surrounded by soft toys and speaking with an officer trained to listen with patience and understanding, she was able to share her experience and begin her journey toward healing. Her testimony helped ensure that her abuser faced consequences while she received the support services she needed to rebuild her sense of safety and trust.

Child-friendly interview rooms represent more than comfortable spaces—they’re essential tools in strengthening justice for child survivors while honoring their inherent dignity and rights. By providing privacy and emotional safety, these rooms demonstrate Cambodia’s growing commitment to child-centered justice and evidence-based approaches to supporting young survivors.