A new report launched by Cambodia and the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) suggested that one in every 10 Cambodian child was subjected to online sexual abuse and exploitation in the past year.
Conducted by the Cambodian National Council for Children of the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation, and Unicef-Cambodia, the report, named Disrupting Harm in Cambodia, found that 11% of Internet-using children aged 12 to 17 had experienced clear examples of online sexual exploitation and abuse in the past year.
“If scaled to Cambodia’s population within this age group, that represents an estimated 160,000 children subjected to online sexual exploitation and abuse,” said a joint press statement.
The report, launched yesterday, also found that 16% of children were subjected to sexual comments about them that made them feel uncomfortable, of whom 31% said it occurred on social media.
Sixteen percent of children were sent unwanted sexual images, of whom 36% said they received the images on social media, it said, adding that 9% of children surveyed received unwanted requests to share sexual images of themselves.
More boys than girls were subjected to clear examples of online sexual exploitation and abuse, such as receiving unwanted requests to share images or videos showing their bodies, and being threatened or blackmailed to engage in sexual activities, the report said.
“Disrupting Harm in Cambodia found that very few children who were subjected to online sexual exploitation and abuse reported it through formal reporting mechanisms,” the report said.
“Survey data with children indicated that one common barrier to reporting and disclosure was not knowing where to go or who to tell.”Unicef Cambodia said it would continue to work with the Cambodian government and all partners to prevent and respond to online child sexual abuse and exploitation.
“A particular emphasis will be placed on increasing the awareness, knowledge, and digital skills of children, adolescents, parents, caregivers and teachers so children can better protect themselves online,” Unicef Cambodia said. — Xinhua
