Strengthening child-friendly practices in trafficking investigations in Cambodia

APLE provides training to the Cambodian National Police, Chab Dai delivers support packages to returning migrant workers, and Nepali organizations in partnership with ECPAT Luxembourg launch a new project to create a safe and protective environment within Nepalese institutions working with children.

*Cambodian police amidst training provided by Action pour les enfants (APLE).*

Welcome to the September edition of Freedom Collaborative’s Asia newsletter. Over the past months, we have showcased several frontline organizations’ efforts as they have responded and adjusted throughout the pandemic to support and protect the vulnerable. As the world starts to settle into the “new normal,” partners have devised new ways to continue their work. This edition highlights the training and distribution programs of partners in Cambodia and an exciting new project launch in Nepal. Please refer to the current affairs section for this month’s anti-trafficking news highlights and don’t forget to read more about the case studies on the Victims Case Management System published by Liberty Shared.

Thank you to APLE, Chab Dai, Shakti Samuha, and all our partners and contributors for collaborating with us on this newsletter.

Please keep sharing your updates with us via our Facebook group or by email.

PARTNER UPDATES

Action pour les enfants (APLE) | Cambodia

In Cambodia, a challenge faced by the child protection community has been the lack of resources and skills that law enforcement agencies have had, often resulting in re-traumatization of children during an investigation process.

APLE Cambodia’s Criminal Justice Development team aims to improve and strengthen law enforcement agencies’ skills and knowledge in Cambodia and increase adherence to child-friendly investigations’ international standards. As a result APLE has recently started to provide training to the Cambodian National Police and other relevant law enforcement agencies.

Training is delivered in relevant provinces in Cambodia and is intended to

Increase the understanding of OCSE and enhance the skills among relevant authorities to identify its risks and offenses and how to respond to the crime; and
Train trainers to increase the sustainability of the knowledge provided, supporting the trainers in passing on their expertise with the next generations of police officers.

From July to September, a total of 140 participants attended these training sessions.

Some of the topics taught in the sessions include: Investigation of online sexual crimes against children, victim identification, child sexual abuse material tracing, and related legal framework addressing these crimes; while the curriculum for the training of trainers includes child-friendly practices in child sexual abuse and exploitation investigation procedures to protect child victims and witnesses.

Learn more about their work.

Chab Dai | Cambodia

Last week Chab Dai was successful in distributing 60 support packages to Khmer migrant workers returning home from Thailand, Malaysia, and Korea. The package included food items and hand-wash, both items of utmost importance in this time COVID. The distribution was part of an awareness campaign organized by Chab Dai to inform returnee migrant workers about safety. The National Committee of Counter-Trafficking was responsible for the distribution of pertinent information regarding safe migration. Migrant workers, in turn, shared their stories.

Center for Legal Research and Resource Development (CeLRRD) | Shakti Samuha | Nepal

In partnership with ECPAT Luxembourg, Center for Legal Research and Resource Development (CeLRRD) and Shakti Samuha launched one of the biggest projects to be implemented in Nepal. Being awarded a federal grant from the U.S. Department of State Trafficking in Persons Office the project aims to ensure that every Nepali institution entrusted with the care of children, by law, guarantees the provision of the best protective environment for children.

The project is to be run in collaboration with Nepali authorities and child protection actors, with an objective to establish a more effective protection mechanism for children and keeping them safe from trafficking and exploitation.

CURRENT AFFAIRS And News

India | Bangladesh

Stolen Lives: The harrowing story of two girls sold into sexual slavery explores how "one region in India and Bangladesh has emerged as hubs of this illicit trade," showcasing the stories of two young girls to reflect the grim realities of many children who are trafficked for prostitution.

India

India's coronavirus lockdown has had an adverse impact on children, pushing up incidents of child marriage and child labour.

Nepal

After three years of facing a ban to migrate to the Persian Gulf for jobs as domestic workers, Nepalese women finally get the green light from the government, with conditions, of course.

Malaysia

Palm oil is virtually impossible to avoid, as it is a common ingredient in almost everything we use. While we know where it may come from, most consumers are unaware of the terrible conditions faced by laborers involved in the extraction and production of palm oil. This investigative piece by AP is a small glimpse into this billion-dollar industry and its harsh realities.

Myanmar

"Trafficked abroad, shunned at home," explains how poverty and destitution have made women more susceptible to exploitation and trafficking in Myanmar.

Indonesia

Read how through easy access to mobile technology, migrant fishers can document their mistreatment and, often, evidence of illegal fishing and bycatch. This newly available evidence led to an outpouring of attention and a renewed focus on forced labor, human trafficking, and other forms of exploitation that have been commonplace on industrial fishing vessels for years.

OTHER UPDATES

Winrock publishes a new feasibility study encouraging an agreement to adopt technological solutions improve cross border migration conditions

USAID Asia Counter Trafficking in Persons (CTIP) program recently published its feasibility study where they explore the role of technology in linking Thailand-based employers with recruitment agencies (RAs) in Cambodia and Myanmar.

While an agreement does not currently exist to link the three countries, it is clear, based on the study that all parties would significantly benefit from a framework agreement encouraging efficient migration and cost reduction for migrant workers.

Liberty Shared publishes case studies on the Victims Case Management System (VCMS)

Liberty shared publishes case studies on its Victim Case Management System (VCMS), a tool designed and launched in 2013 to encourage better record keeping and ethical case management practices as a means to better services provided and enhance data collection. Supported by USAID Asia Counter Trafficking in Persons (CTIP), implemented by Winrock International, these case studies provide authentic feedback on system functionality and use.