In Cambodia, one in five women has experienced sexual and/or physical intimate partner violence. However, services to support these victims are unavailable or inaccessible. Recognizing the need for better training for social workers and better awareness in Cambodian towns and villages, World Hope International, with the support of UN Women is addressing sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in Cambodia.

Launched in 2016, in partnership with Hagar International, WHI’s SGBV program aims to scale up efforts in the country to reduce all forms of violence against women and girls. This includes helping to stabilize women and girl survivors of domestic and sexual violence by improving collaboration between service-providing agencies in the country, training social workers on basic counseling, case management and client referrals, educating staffers on trauma support, developing referral mechanisms, promoting community education and much more.

In 2016, WHI and Hagar trained 31 social service providers with basic counseling and case management skills. With support and coaching by WHI’s clinical advisor, these service providers met the needs of 53 female survivors of violence through individual and group therapy. In a country where violence is often overlooked or denied outright, these survivors had the chance to engage with other survivors in their communities, feel heard and understood, and take steps to pursue their legal rights.

Please consider making a donation today to help WHI fight violence against women and girls in Cambodia.