Preventing Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation and Corporal Punishment of Children in Schools

Introduction

Child Rights Foundation (CRF) helps to bring about a Cambodian society that is free of violence and respectful of CR through our efforts to mainstream CR into schools. Believing that school is a proper commonality environment to undertake the changes of mindsets and behaviors from both of adults and children, CRF formulated a 5-year Strategic Plan 2008-2012 to include the prevention of children from Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation and Corporal Punishment in schools.

Objective

We aim to build capacity of teachers and children in initiating actions preventing the Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation of Children and Corporal Punishment in schools.

How we work

CRF works directly with schools through a cooperation agreement with MOEYS which allow officials, institutions from different levels of the education system to partner and involve in the supervision, monitoring and in the project implementation as well: a Project Steering Committee (PSC) set up at national level and 3 Provincial Working Groups (PWGs) at provincial level. With this ways of work, stakeholders will be internalized about children's issues and have sense of belongings.

Building capacity of partners is one of CRF key approach to ensure the achievement the success and sustainability of the project. Capacity building is conducted in form of training workshops in 3 steps down from provincial level:

• 1st step- for a number of selected core trainers from provinces
• 2nd step- for all school in-service teachers
• 3rd step- for all school children

Special training workshops for capacity building of schools directors, key teachers and representatives of Children's Council (CC) are also conducted at provincial level to help schools in setting up and strengthening CC functioning in schools. Knowledge on CC and necessary skills such as adult-child communication, planning, organizing children's forums, operating mail box, to complement to national program on Child Friendly School is also another capacity building we help to set up.

At school level, our project staffs along with partners provide support to schools initiatives in actions preventing TSEC and COP and promoting positive discipline in schools: teachers' sharing knowledge to students, CC activities in peer education, organizing school-student to discuss on problems of their concerns, organizing campaigns against TSEC and COP, operation of mail box, establishing of code of conduct in classrooms, CC activities in mapping out and provide assistance to vulnerable children.

Where we work

We work frequenting 55 target primary and secondary schools located in 3 provinces Koh Thom, Takhmao, Kien Svay and Ponhea Loeu in Kandal, Dambae in Kompong Cham and Banteay Srei in Siemreap. The project benefits 934 teachers and 38,600 students.

• Koh Thom, Takhmao, Kien Svay and Ponhea Loeu in Kandal.
• Dambae in Kompong Cham.
• Banteay Srei in Siemreap.

Rattan sticks are no longer used at Char Thmey Primary School in Dambae district

Since CRF launched its activities at the school three years ago, the school has been endeavoring to eliminate COP in favor or more positive forms of discipline, says school director Mr. Choem Voeng.

There has been a significant reduction in violence against children at the school and among children on the playground, says Mr. Voeng. Children at the school are taking initiative in learning and practicing their rights. They actively advocate for CR and non-violent discipline, disseminating what they've learned to their parents, other children and community members.