Man sentenced to 6 years jail for rape

May 10, 2011

BATTAMBANG, CAMBODIA - While overall crime rates in Cambodia are on the decline, reported instances of rape rose 30% between 2009 and 2010 are expected to rise even higher in 2011. Rape currently represents one third of all national felony acts committed. To treat these cases effectively, the Cambodian National Police often request the assistance of SISHA’s investigative team.

In 2008, the Battambang Police requested SISHA’s assistance in helping with the investigation of the rape of a 15 year old girl named Soka. Soka lived in her home village of Romdoul Pagoda in the Battambang province of Cambodia with her parents, brother and sister. She liked to spend some of her days watching children play with horses in the nearby village of Dam Spey.

On the day of the event, Soka was watching the horses when she was approached by a man she had never met before. The man offered to give her 500 riel (15 cents) if she followed him. Unaware that this man was about to abuse her trust, Soka followed him into a darkened area on a nearby school’s property, where he forcibly raped her. When the perpetrator noticed that there were children close by watching, he ran off, leaving the young Soka traumatized.

Once SISHA was informed of the case, the investigative team made sure to gather as much information as possible and interviewed key witnesses until there was enough evidence to detain the suspect and press charges. When assisting the Cambodian National Police with criminal investigations, SISHA’s investigative team ensures that evidence is collected and presented in accordance with international standards.

The evidence collected by the police with the help of SISHA was presented in court and two years later led to a successful conviction. The presiding judge sentenced the offender to 6 years in prison and presented Soka with financial reparation in the amount of 2,000,000 riel ($500 USD). SISHA, as an organization, has been motivated by this conviction and is encouraged to know that the judicial system is doing its part in fighting this growing social problem.

In the midst of the judicial proceedings, SISHA’s aftercare staff offered Soka the possibility of receiving specialized care in a center near her home where she would not only receive an education, but enjoy a safe and secure environment and could find comfort in building relationships with other girls.

Soka and her family decided that living at the shelter was the best option for her at the moment, especially since she has a mental disability and could receive specialized care there. In keeping with their promise, SISHA aftercare staff placed Soka in a shelter near her home where she could keep regular contact with her family and where her psychological, physical and social needs could be met.

SISHA is also fighting injustices on other levels with its implementation of the Youth Legal Rights Program (YLRP). The mission of the YLRP is to empower young people by educating them about their rights, teaching them to recognize abuse and connecting them with community resources. In the long run, this program hopes to prevent abuse, especially the abuse of children.

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