The most pervasive form of exploitation among children and young people in Cambodia is online child sexual exploitation, which was amplified by the pandemic as offenders, traffickers, and children all spent more time online. Predators target adolescent girls during a fragile developmental phase in order to emotionally entice and entrap them by accessing their information, obtaining photos, and developing relationships with the intent to exploit them either online or in person.  Often girls are unable to recognize that they are in an unsafe relationship with someone who will later exploit them, so reporting of abuse is extremely low. This leaves millions of girls with a future that depends on their ability to resist potential trafficking.

One Day’s Wages partnered with AusCam Freedom Project to create a protective environment for adolescent girls in Cambodia and build their resistance to online sexual exploitation. Through AusCam’s “Freedom Line” – Cambodia’s only crisis helpline for young and adolescent girls – 124 girls were able to safely report their situation, receive confidential assessments by highly-trained social workers, and access psychosocial support.  AusCam also supported 142 clients with case management and individualized services like counseling, food and/or shelter. Finally, AusCam was able to develop a cloud-based risk assessment tool and chatbot to effectively screen for girls at high risk.  A total of 86 NGO workers and government officials are now also trained to use this tool!