Phnom Penh: On 21 July 2017, the Interior Ministry’s Anti-Human Trafficking and Juvenile Protection Department arrested a 39-year-old British national for sexually abusing a five-year-old girl studying at the school he worked for. He was currently held under police’s custody to await further legal proceedings.
APLE received a tip-off on Thursday and immediately started to assist police in identifying the victim and suspect as well as gathering information to help with the investigation. In this case, we commend police’s quick response that sought to stop the abuse from getting worse.
APLE social and legal teams are seeking to work with the family, making sure the girl receives all the support and protection she needs.
This arrest marks the 10th arrest of child abusers working in schools since 2015. The number of reported cases involving institutional based child sexual abuse to which APLE has responded is alarming. Institutions working with children such as schools must urgently put in place a robust procedure requiring criminal background checks on the staff and regular assessments of their suitability working with children.
