The Kandal provincial branch of the National Committee for Counter Trafficking (NCCT) has held a forum in Dei Ith commune of Kandal province’s Kien Svay district to inform the local community about laws aimed at curbing forced labour and domestic abuse.

The event aimed to raise awareness on the legal frameworks related to exploitation and domestic violence.

Chhim Vanny, deputy provincial police chief and deputy head of the NCCT Secretariat, said the forum was organised to enhance public understanding on the issue.

“We want to give people a clearer idea of the laws in place to tackle forced labour and commercial sex work, as well as to combat domestic abuse and ensure the safety of survivors.

“The Kandal provincial governor is reinforcing the work of the NCCT and the various departments.

“The goal is to coordinate efforts to take timely legal action against those who deceive others into exploitative situations,” Vanny said.

Ny Sokha, president of rights group ADHOC, praised the effort to raise awareness about laws against forced labour, noting that it is especially important for people in border areas.

He mentioned that these individuals are often less informed and therefore more susceptible to manipulation and criminal activities.

“I believe the government should go beyond their existing outreach efforts to include more local people.

“But it is not just about giving information to the public – the government itself needs to strengthen capacity to enforce these laws,” he said.

According to Sokha, there remains a considerable gap in public awareness, notably in remote or border areas.

“People’s knowledge of these laws is still insufficient. They often don’t know who to turn to when they find themselves in these unfortunate circumstances,” he said.