A workshop on Policy and Minimum Standards for the Protection of Victims of Human Trafficking was held at AFESIP’s Phnom Penh Main Office Meeting Hall from June 5-8, 2012. It was facilitated by Mr. Mam Khon, Tom Dy Center Manager, and Mr. Som Sophatra, Admin, HR and Communication Coordinator. The two facilitators were trained by staff from ECPAT Cambodia, a network of NGOs working to prevent the sexual exploitation of children. This initial training took place from April 2-6, 2012.

Staff and managers from AFESIP departments, programs, and centers participated in the workshop. Voices for Change team members from the Somaly Mam Foundation SEA also partook in the exercise

Somaly Mam, Founder and President of AFESIP Cambodia, opened the workshop and expressed her full interest and support for the process and encouraged all trainees to give their best effort to follow the new caretaker policies for the victims, particularly those residing at the three AFESIP centers.

Following the workshop, she directed all trainees to put the policy into practice.

The policy focuses on the rights of the victims of human trafficking, such as the right to safety and protection, right to identity, privacy and confidentiality, dignity, information, service, decision, justice normalization, participation, and freedom of movement.

At the end of the workshop, all trainees were required to take a written test to ensure full comprehension of the lessons given. To close the workshop, Mr. Sao Chhoeurth, Executive Director and CEO, expressed his firm confidence that the trainees will put the policy into concrete practice at the centers and elsewhere where staff work with victims of human trafficking.

Lastly, each center manager is required to implement this policy and conduct a similar workshop for staff at the centers who did not attend.