Crimes against children drop 12 percent in 2017

CAMBODIA saw a 12 percent decrease in serious crimes against children in 2017, including a marked drop in the number of recorded rapes, according to figures from the Child Protection Unit.

The number of rapes against children dropped from 205 to 147 last year, though there was a slight uptick in the number of homicides, from 21 to 24.

There were 222 cases of major crimes investigated by the NGO across the country involving victims aged 13 and under, as well as homicide victims aged 15 and younger, CPU Director James McCabe said. In 2016, the CPU investigated 253 cases against victims 13 and under.

One concern from 2017’s cases was the “disproportionate” number of babies killed by their mother or father.

“The death of any child is tragic, but when [the perpetrator is] a family member, it’s compounded,” he said.

McCabe put 2017’s successes – including an 83 percent arrest rate – down to the hard work of police, adding that people were increasingly willing to report crimes rather than accept compensation.

Ros Chivy, deputy provincial police chief in Battambang, which again recorded the highest number of serious crimes committed against children, said one factor was parents migrating to work in Thailand, leaving children open to abuse.

“We educate the public not to allow young girls to herd cows or leave them alone” because that could “allow the perpetrator to have opportunity to commit crimes easily”, she said.

McCabe also thanked the Kantha Bopha hospital staff for treating children who sustained serious injuries.