Phnom Penh – Next week, Action Pour Les Enfants (APLE Cambodia) and experts from national and international governments, law enforcement, civil society organizations, and industry will come together to a roundtable meeting with an aim to define strategies in preventing and combating Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse in Cambodia. The event is funded by INHOPE Foundation and Terre Des Hommes (TdH) Netherlands.
In recent years, Internet usage and connectivity has rapidly grown in Cambodia and there has been a significant increase among young people and adults. Although we benefit greatly from this technology, it has also been used for illegal activities, particularly accessing and distributing child sexual abuse materials which result in child sexual abuse and exploitation online.
On 14 September 2016, APLE Cambodia in collaboration with INHOPE Foundation will organize an Expert Roundtable Meeting on Tackling Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Towards a Safer Internet Environment, bringing together 60 national and international participants.
Our main objectives are to better understand the problem, identify key operational strategies and discuss necessary legal and hotline mechanisms to prevent and combat online child sexual exploitation and abuse through multiple panel discussions supported by relevant experts and stakeholders. The roundtable will also provide an opportunity for attendees to exchange information and establish collaboration.
The roundtable meeting will begin with a keynote speaker from APLE Cambodia, providing an overview of the situation concerning Online CSEA from APLE experiences and the trends identified. It is then followed by other keynote speakers from INHOPE Foundation and law enforcement. Both will shed light on Online CSEA issues and share information about the global network of Internet hotlines and changes in the legal frameworks addressing Online CSEA.
These presentations will be followed by different panel discussions, allowing opportunities for participants to discuss, share expertise and identify solutions specific to Cambodia’s context. There will be three panels organised to discuss the following topics: (1) strategies to tackle Online CSEA in Cambodia; (2) role of the Internet Hotline in preventing Online CSEA; and (3) legal framework and law enforcement cooperation.
Participants are invited from different backgrounds and fields of expertise related to the theme of the roundtable meeting. They come from the different groups: government’s ministries and other national institutions, law enforcement and judiciary, foreign embassies and law enforcement, private sectors, non-governmental organizations, and international attendees.
Mr. Seila Samleang, APLE Executive Director, said: “I’m really excited about the opportunity to discuss this important issue with our key stakeholders which will help us find best solutions to effectively address Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse in Cambodia”.
NOTE TO EDITORS
Expert Roundtable Meeting on Tackling Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Towards a Safer Internet Environment
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The expert roundtable meeting will be held on 14 September 2016 and will open at 08:30am. Media are welcome for the opening. They should arrive no later than 08:00am.
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The expert roundtable meeting will be held at InterContinental Hotel, Phnom Penh and funded by INHOPE Foundation and Terre Des Hommes (TdH) Netherlands.
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H.E. CHOU Bun Eng, Secretary of State of Ministry of Interior and Permanent Vice Chair of the National Committee for Counter Trafficking (NCCT) will open the meeting after the welcome remark by Mr. Seila Samleang, APLE’s Executive Director. The interview requests can be facilitated with Mr. Neng Vannak on the day.
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The expert roundtable meeting will be attended by 60 national and international experts on child protection and will also provide an opportunity for attendees to exchange information and network for future collaboration.
Action Pour Les Enfants (APLE Cambodia)
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APLE Cambodia is a non-governmental organization [NGO] responding to the continuing need to combat the sexual abuse and exploitation of children in Cambodia. Based in Phnom Penh, APLE was established in 2003 and now has a regional presence in Sihanoukville and Siem Reap.APLE is the only NGO specializing in investigating street-based child sexual abuse and exploitation in Cambodia, making the organisation invaluable experts in this field.
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APLE has highly trained and dedicated staff including lawyers, social workers, investigators and project managers. APLE’s vision is freedom from sexual abuse and exploitation for all children and its mission is to reduce all forms of child sexual abuse and exploitation through prevention, protection, promotion of prosecution, and advocacy. APLE works to achieve this mission through four interconnected programmes: Criminal Justice Development Program, Court Support Program, Community Engagement Program and the Advocacy and Research Program.
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For further information, please follow us on website: www.aplecambodia.org; and facebook: www.facebook.com/aplecambodia.org or contact, Mr. Vando Khoem via e-mail: k.vando@aplecambodia.org or phone: (+855) 92 590 503
INHOPE Foundation
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The INHOPE Foundation develops national hotlines across the world in the fight against online child sexual abuse material.
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The goals and mission of the INHOPE Foundation are to financially sponsor and support start up activities of new hotlines outside of the European Union. INHOPE seek to expand the network of hotlines around the world, by prioritizing countries where Child Sexual Abuse Material is being facilitated, produced or distributed.
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In order to reach these goals, the INHOPE Foundation seeks to raise funds from corporations, private citizens and other entities to use in the development of new Internet hotlines worldwide.
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The funding is utilized for the purpose of identifying potential national hotlines, developing regional training, coordination and implementation of best practices, standardization of reporting and analysis, as well as continuing long-term development and education on the issue.
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For further information, please follow: ; https://www.facebook.com/INHOPE.org/ or contact an e-mail: enquiries@inhopefoundation.org.
Terre Des Hommes (TdH) Netherlands
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Terre des Hommes Netherlands prevents child exploitation, removes children from exploitative situations and ensures these children can develop themselves in a safe environment.
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Terre des Hommes works towards a world where all children have a decent life and can grow up to be independent adults. A world in which children are no longer exploited. Terre des Hommes vow to continue their work until this is accomplished.
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For further information, please follow: ; https://www.facebook.com/terredeshommes.nl or contact an e-mail: info@tdh.nl
