Siem Reap Officials, Partners Discuss Online Child Exploitation at Global Freedom Summit

Phnom Penh, October 27, 2026: Officials, law enforcement representatives and child protection partners gathered in Siem Reap for a Global Freedom Summit screening of a film on online child sexual exploitation and abuse, with Deputy Governor Monny Reangsey representing Governor Prak Sophoan at the Oct. 26, 2026 event.

Among those attending were H.E. Pheng Chhetarett, a provincial council member, Rachel Ball of the Australian Federal Police, A21 Asia Regional Director Kristen Scharf, representatives of the Japanese, Canadian, Chinese, French and Korean consular offices in Siem Reap, APLE country director Samleang Seila and digital expert Chey Sophath, together with provincial officials, teachers, students and partner organisations.

In remarks at the event, Monny Reangsey said the film delivered a powerful message that online child sexual exploitation and abuse is a serious global problem requiring attention and joint action from all stakeholders. The issue, she stressed, is not simply data or information on a screen but the real lives of children entitled to love, care, protection, education and the chance to live safely and with hope.

She warned that even when such risks begin quietly behind phones, computers or social media, their consequences can seriously harm children's physical and mental health, dignity and future, and can affect families and communities too. The problem is neither distant nor solvable by one sector alone—it demands shared responsibility and collective action so every child can use digital technology safely and be fully protected.

The deputy governor said the event deepened understanding of online child exploitation trends both globally and in Cambodia, showing how offenders use technology to build trust, deceive, threaten and exploit children, often starting with ordinary conversation or praise before escalating into abuse. Knowledge matters, she said, but turning it into concrete action matters more, and efforts must continue to strengthen education and awareness so children, youth, parents, guardians and communities understand the risks and warning signs.

Photo: រដ្ឋបាលខេត្តសៀមរាប/Siem Reap Provincial Administration
In her role as an official responsible for child protection, Monny Reangsey called on all concerned to stay vigilant and treat online child protection as a shared priority—creating an environment where children feel safe to speak, ask questions and share experiences without fear, and know they can turn to parents, teachers, experts or authorities. She stressed that children must be listened to with care and their reports believed, with responses grounded in understanding rather than blame so they do not feel at fault.

She also called for stronger reporting systems, referrals to support services and cooperation between institutions so affected children receive timely help and can recover physically, mentally and socially, with responses centred on their safety and needs and avoiding any action that could cause further harm. As technology advances rapidly, she said, the capacity of officials and experts must be built so they can identify risks, investigate cases and enforce the law effectively in line with existing legislation and children's rights.

Source: Siem Reap Provincial Administration


Reported by The Khmer Daily Network