In the city of Phenom Penh, there’s a dedicated team working tirelessly to protect children from the dangers of the internet. This team is part of APLE Cambodia, an organization that uses advanced technology to find and remove harmful content online.
A Day in the Life of Sreykev, a Content Analyst
Sreykev is one of APLE’s content analysts within the Project Arachnid. Every day, she arrives at the office early to begin her important work. She uses a special tool called the Crawler, provided by the Project Arachnid, which scans the internet 24/7 to find images and videos of child abuse.
Sreykev spends her day looking at this disturbing content to identify it so it can be removed. This job is very hard on her emotions because she has to see terrible images of children being hurt. But she knows her work is crucial to protect these children.
The Heartbreaking Reality
It’s important to understand the gravity of Sreykev’s work. Studies show that 87% of victims are 11 or younger when the abuse begins, and 56% are under 4 years old. Reports of child sexual abuse material online continue to increase every year. These images represent the worst kind of abuse, targeting society’s most vulnerable—our children. When such images are posted online, the trauma for the survivors never ends. They live in constant fear that someone will recognize them, and that the abuse might continue in real life.
Challenges and Achievements
Despite the emotional toll, Sreykev and her team make a big difference. Every month, they help take down around 40,000 harmful images from the internet. One success story was when they found and rescued a twelve-year-old boy, who was being exploited online.
However, the fight against online child exploitation is complex. Few children report cases of Online Child Sexual Exploitation Abuse to the police or hotlines. Many parents and caregivers hesitate to report these crimes due to concerns about negative consequences, fear of repercussions, or feelings of shame. This makes it even more challenging for organizations like APLE to identify and rescue victims.
Supporting Each Other
The team at APLE supports each other through the tough times. They share their challenges and victories, knowing their work is saving lives. They believe every child deserves to be safe online and offline.
APLE also works with schools and parents to teach kids how to stay safe online. They train law enforcement to handle these cases properly and work with the government to raise awareness about online dangers.
Call to Action
You can help too! If you see any harmful content online, report it. Together, we can protect our children and make the internet a safer place for everyone.
Report concerns to APLE at (+855) 092 311 511 or visit our website. Your actions can save lives.
