Brothel owner sentenced to three years jail

Friday, 30 March 2012

A 40-year-old woman has been sentenced to 3 years imprisonment for prostituting 8 girls in Battambang, Cambodia.

In November 2009, an investigation by Battambang Police led to the suspicion of exploitative work conditions and the prostitution of minors at a brothel in a village of the Santepheap Commune in the Sampeou Loun district of Battambang Province.

Battambang police and SISHA conducted a joint operation to raid the brothel, finding 8 girls being prostituted and arrested a Ms. Phauk Davy who operated the establishment. The girls were interviewed to ascertain their ages and working conditions but all denied being underage and could not provide documented proof. SISHA staff offered legal representation and aftercare services to the women but they desired to return home to their respective villages.

Ms. Davy was charged under Article 26 of the Law on Suppression of Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation 2008 and found guilty by the Battambang court earlier this year. No compensation for the sex workers has been announced.