Policy and Legal Frameworks

Program Objectives

Strategically, this program aims to strengthen policy and legal frameworks that address all forms of child sexual abuse and exploitation, including laws that facilitate victim-focused investigation and prosecution of child sexual offences that violate the rights of the child to protection. Below are some of the key specific objectives: 

  • Governance

    Improved leadership, coordination and collaboration among high levels of government for effective implementation and promotion of the existing policies and laws

  • Development and Implementation of Policy and Legal Framework

    Increased adoption and effective implementation of comprehensive policies and laws for the protection of at risk children and children affected by the sexual abuse and exploitation

  • Responsive Legal Framework

    Clear and effective legal frameworks that provide specific protection for children involved in justice process

Access to Justice and Protection

All legal protection measures for children must be accessible and inclusive to children. We support government to address policy and legislative gaps and ensure that child protection frameworks are age-appropriate and work for all children regardless of gender, race, religion, disability or other characteristics. 

Acting as a member of the Technical Working Group on Online Child Sexual Exploitation led by Cambodia National Council for Children, we provide expert inputs for policy/law drafting and advocate for the development of national policy and legal frameworks that align with international standards and best practices. 

Effective Implementation of Policy

We promote the respect of children’s rights contained in the UNCRC, ensuring that implementation of all policy actions take into account of the four guiding principles on children’s rights as described below: 

  • the right to non-discrimination
  • the best interests of the child
  • the right to life, survival, and development
  • the right to be heard

Children's Voices and Perspectives

Children and young people have strong opinions, and they have a right to be heard in matters that affect them. We seek to engage with children to collect their voices and perspectives which are used to inform policy and legislative development that addresses children’s needs. We arrange for effective consultation with child participation throughout the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of all our programs.

Partnership

As a member of the National Child Protection Committee, we engage with high levels of government, international child rights bodies and civil society organizations to identify gaps and support the development of policy and legislative frameworks that protect children from all forms of sexual abuse and exploitation.