Welcome to the April SISHA newsletter
SISHA wishes to sincerely thank Ms. Stephanie McCourt a UK Law Enforcement Detective Sergeant with 12 years policing experience who whilst on a 9-month work break in South East Asia, voluntarily offered her services to SISHA. For the past month SISHA has received the invaluable assistance of Ms. Stephanie McCourt, who not only assisted with several current SISHA investigations into child sex abuse but she also provided International Police Standard training to the SISHA Aftercare Team in the following areas;
- Dealing with children as victims and witnesses
- Dealing with vulnerable adults as victims and witnesses
- Promoting and establishing trust and safety
- Interviewing techniques
- Scene control in respect of the victim
- Child/ Vulnerable Adult Evidence Log ( for use during intervention at the scene to record details of any victims and spontaneous significant statements made by them)
- Medical Examinations procedures and understanding including DNA awareness
- Continuity and Aftercare
- Dealing with Cultural/ Evidential misconceptions (the ' Virginity Test' and 'Boys cannot be abused')
- Best Evidence
- Reliable disclosure
- Confidence building and assertiveness with other professionals
- The new Anti- Human Trafficking law in Cambodia
- Awareness of Cambodia's old law
On the 22nd of April, SISHA had its first Annual Board meeting, held at the Intercontinental Hotel, Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Present were Directors Steve Morrish, Allan Clarke and Mark Wylie. As a result of this meeting, SISHA would like to warmly welcome newly appointed Director Mr. Simon Wagstaff to the SISHA Boar of Directors. Simon Wagstaff has worked a total of 31 years in the security and travel business and has lived in Asia for almost 18 years. Prior to this he served in the British Military for 18 years and is a Veteran of the Falklands War, with seven active duty tours in Northern Ireland. Simon has spent several years on active counter-terrorist duty in Europe and was awarded the British Empire Medal for Meritorious Service. We wish Simon the best of luck for the future with SISHA.
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SISHA is currently investigating several incidences of child sex abuse as well as working with Cambodia Police to close down several illegal brothels operating within the Phnom Penh city area. Unfortunately, establishments involved in the sexual exploitation of women are growing in numbers in Phnom Penh and even though Police are trying to close these venues down, the demand for sex by Cambodian nationals and foreign visitors is too great and creating an ever growing sex industry in Cambodia similar to that of Thailand.
‘SISHA Directors Allan Clarke, Steve Morrish and Mark Wylie with Major General Bith Kim Hong (right) – Director of the Cambodia Police Anti Human Trafficking & Juvenile Protection Department’
The SISHA Investigation Team completed a 3 month baseline study on behalf of NGO International Justice Mission which looked at the availability of child sexual exploitation in Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville and Siem Reap. The result of the study confirmed already known intelligence, that the 3 target areas have an abundance of establishments that offer sexual service and that obtaining sexual service from underage males and females, even though considerably covert in appearance, is alarmingly available in large numbers.
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