APLE investigators conduct undercover investigations, intelligence gathering and monitoring activities in order to collect evidence to rescue victims and prosecute perpetrators of child sexual exploitation.  These activities include:

• Operating investigative teams and liaising with informants
• Investigating cases of suspected child sexual abuse to obtain evidence
• Monitoring suspicious persons or persons previously convicted of child sex offences on a referral basis
• Collaborating with and referring intelligence to the Cambodian and foreign law enforcement officials

Read about investigations previously undertaken:
* Names have been changed

American national
Belgian national
German nationals
Nationality of offender arrested as a result of APLE investigations

Legal protection and policy

APLE lawyers work to provide legal support to child victims of sexual exploitation and bring judicial accountability to their perpetrators.  This is done by:

• Providing free and impartial legal representation and advice to child victims of street-based sexual exploitation and their families
• Monitoring cases as they travel through the Cambodian legal system and thereafter reporting whether the correct legal procedure was followed.
• Creating understanding of the issues involved in prosecuting foreign child sex offenders in Cambodia and enhancing relationships with foreign law enforcement and international organizations through education, advocacy and awareness raising activities
• Increasing the international response to traveling child sex offenders in Cambodia, including improved implementation of cross-jurisdictional legislation and agreement

Read about APLE’s legal successes:
* Names have been changed
Prosecutions in Cambodia

Dutch national
Australian national
German national
Legal procedure employed in APLE cases

American national
British national
Percentage of prosecutions on the number of cases where the offender was arrested

Note: The high number of perpetrators tried or arrested and detained pending trial in 2003 were as a result of the majority facing extra-territorial prosecutions and thus foreign law enforcement officials were involved.

Prosecutions abroad
* Names have been changed

Social support and rehabilitation

APLE’s social workers partner with other organizations to provide aid to child victims of sexual exploitation.  This aid includes:

• Providing support to children during the initial investigative phases of a case, particularly during child interviews and testimonies
• Ensuring child victims have access to medical examinations and health care with support should it be necessary
• Ensuring child victims are sheltered, given social support, counseling and access to sustainable education or vocational opportunities

Read about successes in caring for victims of sexual exploitation:
*Names have been changed

Srey Da’s* story
Sophea’s* story
Naren* and Sitthy’s* story
Representation by sex of children involved in APLE cases

Advocacy and Research

Awareness and understanding issues relating to child sexual exploitation are fundamental preliminary steps toward combating the phenomenon.  APLE is dedicated to continued research and providing up-to-date information on the issue.  Namely,

• Conducting research on trends and topical issues relating to child sexual exploitation and thereafter using such research to disseminate information and stimulate discussions within national regional and international forums
• Participating in efforts at national, regional and international levels to promote child-safe tourism
• Highlighting the operational and legal procedures employed in APLE cases and thereafter using these examples as platforms from which to campaign for reform of child sex abuse laws.

Read reports, documents and professional publications compiled by APLE: