Sihanoukville, Cambodia – Today 28 May 2015, the Preah Sihanouk Provincial Court sentenced a Cambodian man Bo Phloch to 7 years imprisonment on charges of rape with aggravating circumstances against a 13-year-old girl.
The investigation in the abuse incident was commenced after the family of the victim filed complaint with Administrative Police in Prey Nup district. With technical support from child protection NGO Action Pour Les Enfants, the case was referred to district police and then to Criminal Investigation Unit of Preah Sihanouk provincial police commissariat. But the accused had escaped. The police then filed the case with Preah Sihanouk provincial court. Whereafter, Bo Ploch was ordered to be detained when he appeared at investigating judge in September 2014.
Child sexual abuse and exploitation often occurs when an offender uses the dark trick to groom children for sexual contacts. For 2015, APLE has investigated 77 cases of such abuse and we noticed that inadequate responses and poor economic conditions of children have provided opportunists with sexual abuse against vulnerable children. APLE continues its commitment by working with local authorities and relevant partners to put perpetrators behind bars and find justice for victims.
Chea Nara, APLE lawyer, said after the verdict pronouncement that “Based on the fact and the suspect’s confession, we welcome the court’s decision.”
Khoem Vando, Deputy Director of Field Operations at APLE, said that: “APLE with its partner have been providing supports and assistance to the girl and her family to ensure they are able to participate in legal procedure.”
