By Kanitha Veu | Program Coordinator
As of March 2024, the juvenile justice landscape in Cambodia reflects a troubling reality, with 2,214 minors currently detained across the nation’s prisons. This marks a significant 34% increase from the previous year, highlighting an urgent need for effective intervention strategies to address the rising number of youth in conflict with the law. The harsh conditions faced by these minors often stem from underlying issues such as poverty, homelessness, and limited access to education, which can lead them down a path of poor choices and legal troubles.
Recognizing the detrimental effects of incarceration on young lives, the This Life Without Bars (TLWB) program offers a transformative alternative to traditional punitive measures. By focusing on community-based solutions and holistic support, TLWB aims to ensure children in conflict with the law are able to access alternative measures to custodial sentences, also known as diversionary measures, where appropriate. This innovative approach not only seeks to divert young individuals from the prison system but also addresses the root causes of delinquency through education and support.
The program operates by collaborating with various stakeholders, including government social agents, judges, local authorities, and families, to create tailored diversion plans for juveniles. These plans emphasize rehabilitation within their communities rather than confinement. By fostering a supportive environment and offering essential resources, TLWB strives to ensure that every child has the chance to thrive and contribute positively to their communities.
Impact and Achievements:
During this reporting period, TLWB managed 75 cases (including two girls), comprising nine new cases and 66 ongoing cases. Among these, 11 cases were closed, with three achieving successful alternative measures, one resulting in an unsuccessful outcome, and seven deemed ineligible by court decisions. Currently, 64 cases remain active under This Life's support:
This multi-faceted approach demonstrates our commitment to preventing re-offending while fostering community resilience through educational advancement, vocational training, and family support initiatives.
Systemic Change Through Capacity Building:
in partnership with the Department of Youth Rehabilitation within the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation (MoSVY), This Life delivered a comprehensive two-day online training course in September 2024. This training aimed to enhance understanding of fundamental juvenile justice laws and diversion form applications. Engaging 42 participants (seven females) from municipalities across 13 provinces in Cambodia, the course introduced case management forms specifically tailored for government social agents.
Through this initiative, participants gained a clear understanding of the diversion process and effective utilization of both diversion and case management forms. This strengthened their capacity to implement diversion frameworks and contribute to more effective rehabilitation strategies for juveniles in conflict with the law.
The success of this training extended beyond immediate skill development; it fostered valuable inter-regional collaboration and promoted a unified approach to juvenile justice across Cambodia. This collaborative effort underscores This Life's commitment to building sustainable capacity within Cambodia's juvenile justice system, ensuring that law enforcement and judicial officials are well-equipped to implement appropriate diversion policies that serve the best interests of children.
Stakeholder Engagement:
In December 2024, This Life met with MoSVY to strengthen relationships and enhance the implementation of the Diversion Program. The meeting was fruitful; ministry representatives expressed appreciation for This Life’s efforts in supporting their objectives related to The Juvenile Justice Law Strategic and Operational Plan (JJLSOP). The Ministry suggested expanding the program into other areas such as Kanal Province, Kampong Thom, and Banteay Meanchey.
Community event engagement:
The This Life team, alternative children and at-risk youth collaborated with the APSARA National Authority and local stakeholders to plant 300 trees along the Siem Reap riverbank, with 101 participants (36 females) involved in this initiative. This initiative transcends the mere addition of greenery; it embodies our profound commitment to environmental sustainability across all our programs. The newly planted trees will play a vital role in preventing soil erosion, providing shade, improving air quality, and creating habitats for local wildlife. More importantly, they symbolise hope and our dedication to fostering a greener future for the communities we serve. We take pride in demonstrating our commitment to environmental sustainability as a fundamental aspect of all our initiatives. Actions such as today's tree planting are aligned with our core values and reflect our readiness to make meaningful contributions to sustainable development in Cambodia. Through these efforts, we nurture environmental awareness and responsibility in our work.
Real Stories and Testimonials:
Dara (pseudonym), a boy residing in Siem Reap Sangkat, has been granted a diversion order by the investigation judge. This marks a significant turning point in his life, reflecting a journey of change and hope.
“I did not realize my actions would lead me into trouble. I always hung out with friends and experimented with drugs just a few times before I was arrested and sent to prison. I cannot express how hard it was for me; I was terrified while in prison. Luckily, my life changed through the diversion program; it gave me a chance to live with my family again and continue my education. I can’t believe I’m back as a student!”
Links:
Project reports on GlobalGiving are posted directly to globalgiving.org by Project Leaders as they are completed, generally every 3-4 months. To protect the integrity of these documents, GlobalGiving does not alter them; therefore you may find some language or formatting issues.
If you donate to this project or have donated to this project, you can receive an email when this project posts a report. You can also subscribe for reports without donating.
