Thak works with parents and children in her community to prevent violence against children and raise awareness of positive parenting. Her job has not been easy, but overcoming many challenges, her hard work has resulted in a large reduction in violence against children across her community.
Thak, 42, lives with her small family, including her husband and 2 children, in Stung Treng Province. Her husband works in the rice fields and plants cashews and cassava; her son is an engineer, and her daughter is a teacher.
When asked how she felt about seeing children being beaten, she replied without hesitation that she felt shocked and disappointed. “I tried to help them, but I was afraid that something bad would happen to me and my family,” Thak explained. Despite this, she reported incidents to the police, but violence against children persisted in her community.
“When I got new knowledge on preventing violence against children, I shared it with my neighbours and other parents. I was happy because at least I could contribute to reducing violence in my community.”
Thak
Thak’s work to prevent violence towards children
With her active participation, in 2023, Thak was selected to be a Community-Based Child Protection Mechanism member. This group comprises a preschool teacher, village chief, parent representatives, Buddhist priests, children’s club members, villagers, and the village health support group. Their role is to collect information on child abuse, raise awareness of positive parenting, report incidents, and intervene when necessary. “I couldn’t believe it when I was selected. I was delighted to help children in my community,” said Thak.
“When I got new knowledge on preventing violence against children, I shared it with my neighbours and other parents. I was happy because at least I could contribute to reducing violence in my community,” shared Thak.
However, Thak faced several challenges. She noted that parents who used violence against their children often did not attend the awareness sessions. Most of those parents used physical and verbal violence against their children. At times, she felt like giving up, but the support from her colleagues, family, friends, and especially children kept her going.
Thak worked tirelessly to reach those parents. She organised awareness sessions 1 to 2 times per month after lunch and personally drove parents to the meeting venue. “I do the same for all villages in my commune, and if they still can’t join, I visit them at their homes,” she explained.
Another challenge was that some parents did not change their behaviour and continued to use violence. To address this, Thak sought support from the commune committee for women and children and the village chief to educate these parents and make agreements to stop using violence against their children.
Parents change their behaviour
Despite the challenges, Thak’s efforts paid off. The majority of parents changed their behaviour toward their children. “About 60% of parents have stopped using violence and now report when they see someone else using violence against children,” she said proudly. “I am so proud of them and hope the children in my community have a bright future.”
Thak said everyone in her community calls her “Teacher” because they believe she has the knowledge and capacity to support everyone. Additionally, they come to her for consultation, reporting, and intervention when they face problems or challenges.
Thak hopes to select her replacement soon. She wants to transfer all her knowledge and skills to them so they can continue to support and protect children from violence.
Plan International Cambodia’s intervention
“About 60% of parents have stopped using violence and now report when they see someone else using violence against children.”
Thak
In 2019, Plan International Cambodia and its implementing partner, Phnom Srey Organization for Development, launched the “New Generation” project funded by Swedish International Development Agency to empower civil society in Cambodia to promote children’s rights, including protection, sexual reproductive health, and participation. One activity was establishing a parent group to provide knowledge on positive parenting. Thak volunteered to join and received a series of training sessions.
Ai Chai, Phnom Srey Organization for Development staff, said that Thak is a very committed person and works hard to support children in her community. She continued: “When she received children cases, she does not stay at home and intervenes with other members.”