Sokhorn's* Story

Eleven-year-old Sokhorn* was at risk of being withdrawn from school and sold to help provide for her family.

With a lack of stable jobs in their community, four children to provide for and the desperate need for financial assistance, Sokhorn’s* parents were considering selling her. She was at risk of child labour exploitation and losing the change at an education. Her situation was brought to our attention by authorities and while it is heartbreaking to know this was considered an option, the best place for her is still in her community. For some children, if remaining with their family does not put them in immediate danger, our Community Based Care Program can provide help and support to them where they are, minimising their risk of exploitation.

In Cambodian culture, the child’s identity is found within the family unit.

A parent’s debt is not confined to the parent, and a child as part of the family may be seen as part of the solution. Because of their needs to belong and sense of responsibility to help their family, a child faced with impending prostitution or illegal work will seldom think ‘I need to sell myself’, but rather ‘I need to make as much as I can to help my family.’ What might seem outrageous to us, is seen as a last resort in Cambodia. We walk the delicate balance of ensuring safety while maintaining their important connection with family.

By working in the community, we can help support the most important relationships in her young life, her and her parents. Respecting her desire to stay close to them, the Community Based Care Program can provide her with counselling to work through issues and develop resilience; and a social worker to help the family problem solve without resorting to trafficking or frustration that ends in abuse.

Helping her family to have the right resources to make sure leaving school to work never needs to be an option.

Our Community Based Care Program can provides close support and the reassurance that if needed, there is the nearby safety of the SHE Rescue Home until she has the environment she needs to thrive.

*Only situations where the child is deemed safe by the authorities and the IT’S NOT OK Projects, can they remain in the community. They are closely monitored for any developments that may affect their safety or wellbeing.