The most pervasive form of exploitation of 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.  Building awareness of and adequate responses to online sexual exploitation is critical to stopping trafficking and sexual exploitation before it starts.

One Day’s Wages partnered with AusCam Freedom Project to stop online child sexual exploitation in Cambodia before it starts by building awareness through digital and school-based outreach campaigns, and a web-based chat support tool. AusCam saw a 90% increase in calls to their hotline this year, indicating the success of their outreach and awareness activities. In addition, our partnership offered wrap-around case management support for girls who are high risk or survivors of online sexual exploitation. Clients were supported based on their unique needs with counseling, housing, health support and/or food relief packages. Through these supports, 100% of current clients have been able to remain in school or secure employment!