Research Program

COSECAM is fast building a reputation for publishing useful research reports on child trafficking and exploitation issues. From 2004 – 2006, more than six studies have been conducted directly by coalition staff or commissioned to professional researchers.

The report on Impact of Closing Svay Pak was about the brothel area on the dyke around Phnom Penh city - which was closed overnight on the orders of the Prime Minister. The commissioned research described how the closure did not reduce child-prostitution but merely dispersed and forced it underground. The study results were presented prior to a Round Table Debate about prostitution.

The report on ‘Investigation of Sexual Exploitation of Children in Cambodia’ is more revealing about NGO workers than about victims. In order to obtain more insight in the actual conditions and situations of child victims of sexual exploitation a study was conducted among a large sample of NGO staff from human rights and women agencies who directly investigated exploitive child cases. During fieldwork it became clear to coalition staff that much misinformation existed about commercial child exploitation among NGO staff. Therefore, the first results were disappointing and a follow-up study was done. However, the results remained disappointing and it was concluded that a majority of NGO Investigators do not explore the conditions and circumstances a child-victim has experienced in a comprehensive way. They also often take the story initially told for granted. In short, many NGO investigators have incorrect perceptions of how child victims lived before their rescue or how they came to be exploited.

‘New Practices of Prostitution’ is a result of a study conducted fully by a COSECAM Research Officer. This officer visited entertainment and brothel areas in Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville and Siem Reap in order to find out what practices are new in regards to prostitution and pimping.

The Analysis of Paedophilia in Sihanouk Ville report was prepared by a legal intern from UK and was received very well during its presentation. At some point COSECAM was asked by member organisations to assess the situation of young children who are victims of paedophiles. The study was expanded also on request of the John Hopkins university in USA to other cities like Siem Reap. Excerpts are published in the Protection unit’s global report on paedophiles.

The Goods & Girls: Trade across borders research was a joint venture of 7 organisations, including COSECAM. The study examined how human trafficking takes place across the Poipet border in the north with Thailand. Coalition research staff joined the research and took part in the analysis.