By Kanitha Veu | Program Coordinator
Because of you, children in Cambodia are staying with their families — not behind bars
Between September and November 2025, your support helped This Life protect children in conflict with the law by listening to communities, strengthening families, and encouraging justice systems to respond with care and dignity.
Listening to Communities to Protect Children
In October 2025, This Life brought together children, parents, caregivers, and local authorities in Banteay Meanchey Province to talk openly about the risks children face — and what families need to keep them safe.
Together, 47 community members identified urgent challenges affecting children’s lives, including drug use, school dropout, domestic violence, youth involvement with the justice system, and the daily stress caused by poverty and household debt. Families also shared how limited parenting support, mental health strain, labour migration, and stigma against young people make these challenges even harder.
Building a More Child-Friendly Justice System
Your support also helped change how children are treated when they come into contact with the law. During this period, This Life partnered with the Ministry of Social Affairs to train 341 police officers, judges, and local officials on Cambodia’s Juvenile Justice Law — many for the first time since the law was adopted.
The trainings focused on diversion, alternatives to detention, and child-friendly procedures that prioritise rehabilitation over punishment. For children, this means a better chance of being supported in their communities instead of being sent to prison.
By the end of the trainings, participants showed a stronger understanding of how to respond to children in ways that protect their safety, dignity, and future.
Standing Beside Children and Families
During this quarter, 89 children received individual case management support. While every child’s situation was different, all received care focused on safety, family connection, and long-term wellbeing.
Each outcome represents a child who stayed connected to family, education, and hope — instead of growing up behind bars.
An Imapact Story: Finding Stability at Home
Nara (pseudonym) is a 16-year-old boy who was previously incarcerated before returning home with support from This Life.
Since reuniting with his family, Nara has shown a clear change in motivation and outlook. He is now committed to continuing his education and has set a goal of pursuing a future career in information technology — something he struggled to imagine before.
His mother shared that having her son home has brought stability and hope back into their daily life. Nara now helps with household tasks, communicates openly with his mother, and shows pride in contributing positively to the family.
With ongoing counselling, encouragement from his mother, and positive role models, Nara is building the confidence and skills he needs to move forward. His story shows how keeping children connected to family can create real opportunities for change.
Thank You for Making Second Chances Possible
Your support is helping families stay together, strengthening community responses, and ensuring children are treated with dignity and care — not punishment. We are deeply grateful to have you alongside us.
Thank you for believing that no place is right for a child behind bars.
Links:
By Kanitha Veu | Program Coordinator
By Sam Ven | Children and Families Section Lead
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