Safeguarding and Child Protection in Education Symposium Outcomes

The CCF’s Child Protection Unit and Encompass Safeguarding, based out of the UK, joined together for the first time to bring Phnom Penh Educators the Safeguarding and Child Protection in Education Symposium, with the support of the MOE and sponsors such as Ezecom. This groundbreaking event was designed to equip Cambodian schools with the much-needed knowledge and skills to effectively respond to child abuse and exploitation.

The symposium opening was presided over by the Undersecretary of State MoEYS, H.E. Dr. Sour Socheata as well as other invited guests such as H.E. LTGEN Chiv Phally Deputy Commissioner Cambodian National Police, and Director CPU Mr. James McCabe.

The Safeguarding Symposium has been immensely successful with more than 40 local and international schools attending, with over 130 participants. All of whom received their Level 1 Safeguarding certification, empowering them to protect and support vulnerable children effectively. “I found this symposium absolutely amazing: informative, practical, and inspiring” Southbridge International School Cambodia (SISC), Primary Principal, Cindy Yegorov.

We were extremely fortunate to welcome experts; Sian Jorgensen from Encompass-Safeguarding.com, a highly qualified and experienced International Safeguarding Consultant and Trainer, who combines a Counselling and Social Work background, and Aylssa Cowell 7North. Education, a Counsellor and Mental Health specialist with many years of experience working in and with international schools. Both provided high-quality training, knowledge and support for school leaders and teachers from international and local schools on the importance of recognizing harm and developing clear processes for addressing child abuse, mandatory reporting, and safer recruitment processes. 

Our experts also improve understanding of areas such as harmful sexual behaviour, coercive control, grooming relationships, online abuse as well as supporting the victims of abuse.

The highlights of the two-day Symposium included a discussion around the appropriate and legalities of the use of phones for recording children’s words, as well as some fascinating discussions around consent and how age and gender impact views on this.

This Symposium was honored to have Professor Becky Milne, world renowned expert, to equip educators with vital knowledge around how to sensitively speak to children if they are believed to have been abused. Teachers learnt that they needed to remain vigilant not to cause any more psychological harm or possible trauma to the children involved, as well as avoiding any possible interference with any potential police investigation. 

The Child Protection Unit (CPU), who work tirelessly to respond to serious crimes against Cambodian children were also on hand to explain the laws in Cambodia and their role in responding to serious crimes against children and that it is essential that schools are aware of and follow the mandatory reporting procedures so that children can be protected as quickly as possible.

In addition to the Symposium a one-day Train the Trainer event was held. This program trained a cohort of 40 senior school staff to become certified trainers themselves in the areas of Child Safeguarding and Psychological First Aid, fostering a cascading effect that expands the reach of child protection knowledge across Cambodia's education system. One school has already committed to using the learning to train all their staff both in Khmer and English languages, so that every adult in that school will have a shared understanding of child abuse and harm.

The Safeguarding Symposium highlighted the value and need for consolidated efforts and shared knowledge between the government, law enforcement, private schools and local schools. Teachers and schools are a vital front line of defense in protecting all children against abuse. 

"I am so grateful for the opportunity to have trained over 130 dedicated and committed teachers. There is no doubt at all that children all over Phnom Penh will be safer because their teachers have more knowledge and skills to recognize and respond to possible abuse. I am excited to see how this learning spreads and can grow further in the future” said Ms. Sian Jorgensen, CEO, Encompass-Safeguarding. 

This was made possible by the gracious support of The Royal Group of Companies, Ezecom, Cambodiana Hotel, South Bridge International School Cambodia, and important donations from the following schools and organizations; 

East West International School, Australian International School Phnom Penh, International School Phnom Penh, Asian Hope, Australian Centre for English (ACE), The Kings School - Vattanacville, Australian College of Professionals, and Evolve Growing Solutions Ltd.