Ending violence against children in Cambodia
Violence against children can take many forms – including family violence, child trafficking and exploitation. We’re building supportive community environments that respond when children are at risk. We’re strengthening community-based child protection systems. And we’re bringing about long-term policy change that helps keep girls and boys safe from all forms of violence.
Why children in Cambodia need better protection
Parents in Cambodia strive to provide care and protection for their children. However – for lots of reasons – many parents also struggle to create a safe and positive home environment.
Recent reports found around half of Cambodian children experience some form of violence; roughly one-quarter of children reported emotional abuse by a parent, caregiver or adult relative, and more than 6% of girls and 5% of boys aged 13–17 reported being sexually abused1.
Abuse also happens at school and in institutional care homes where teachers and care workers can be perpetrators of violence against children. Violence is gendered too, and girls tend to experience more physical and sexual violence than boys.
Child protection and social welfare systems in Cambodia have been failing children. Girls and boys impacted by violence often end up in institutional care, placing them at further risk of abuse. In 2016, more than 16,000 children were in care homes, even though 77% had at least one living parent.

Save the Children's Strengthening Child Protection program
Mothers and fathers, female and male caregivers and people in communities have the greatest potential to protect children and provide for their physical and emotional safety.
The Strengthening Child Protection program is working with children, families and communities to improve positive parenting approaches, where children are nurtured and protected as they grow. We’re providing better social work support to families so they can seek out help, and we’re working with local and national governments to strengthen the systems that prevent violence, and respond when children do experience violence.