About ten thousand people, both children and adults, joined the crowd at a three-hour concert to combat child sex tourism in Cambodia in September. 

The event was launched on September 12th in the Angkor Kjungju vicinity, Siem Reap province, a well-known tourist site near Angkor Wat Temple. 

Though it was drizzling, people still came to see the concert. Watchers holding umbrellas and wearing raincoats were anxiously waiting to see and hear what the anti-child sex tourism concert was like. 

“I bring my grandchildren here to let them know what child sex tourism is so that they understand the ploys foreign tourists use to convince young people, especially street children, and those who scavenge for recyclables. I have heard this issue, and I hurt for the children. Thus we need to work together to protect our children,” said Sou Soeun, 58, who came with her four grandchildren. 

Two famous Cambodian singers and a well-known group of comedians led by Neay Kuy showed up at the event performing songs, drama and comedy related to child sex tourism. Some children took part in a quiz and were awarded gifts after answering correctly to the questions posed at the event. 

The event was conducted to build awareness and encourage the public to stop child-sex tourism, to promote the police hotlines and to inform people of the Law on Suppression of Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation. 

Poeu Pisith, deputy governor of Siem Reap province and chairman of Child Safe Tourism Committee in Siem Reap province, said “Today’s concert provided people not only with enjoyment and fun, but also with education and knowledge about child sex tourism.”

“After the event ends, I would like to call upon all of you to inform your friends, relatives, and other people in the community that child sex trafficking is considered a crime. As such, child traffickers, accomplices, and pedophiles will be sentenced into imprisonment by the law,” declared Poeu Pisith.

Recently, Cambodia has experienced an incredible growth in the tourism sector, which reached a total of 1,762,045 [a 19% increase compared to that in 2006] foreign tourists in 2007.

“Most tourists come to Siem Reap province to visit tourist sites such as temples, precious culture, customs and our tradition. However, there are a few tourists coming here to engage in child sex tourism. To prevent it, the Provincial Tourism Department has cooperated with authorities and NGOs- especially World Vision. As of today, we launch a concert to publicly inform people about child sex tourism and jointly prevent the issue,” said Ngov Sengkak, deputy director of Siem Reap Provincial Tourism Department. 

After listening to the concert, eleven-year old Yan Yary, who came with her grandparents said she wanted Cambodia be free from child sex tourism.

“I will share what I have understood today with my friends. I want all children to protect themselves from child sex tourism and parents to defend their children,” said Yan Yary.

World Vision’s Child Sex Tourism Prevention project has been implemented in three key tourist sites: Siem Reap province, Sihanouk Ville, and Phnom Penh City.

“The project essentially focuses on deterring would-be child sex tourists through serious advocacy messages that child sex tourism is illegal and risky in Cambodia,” said So Phina, Child Sex Tourism Prevention project officer, World Vision Cambodia.