A hard-hitting documentary film about gang rape will precede a forum for young people
to have their views heard by five government ministries on the final day of a workshop
about non-consensual sex.
Shocking testimonies from a victim and perpetrator of gang rape (or bauk as it is
known in Khmer) will be combined with clips from the Phnom Penh conference, which
ends on July 2.
The three-day youth-run workshop has brought together 80 young people, including
prostitutes, gay men, lesbians, Cham Muslims and students.
Research released at the conference showed the practice of bauk has spread nationwide,
with reports of gang rape coming from every province except Mondolkiri and Oddar
Meanchey.
The study, conducted by CARE International and Gender and Development for Cambodia,
asked motodops if they had heard of bauk occurring locally, with 61 per cent saying
they had. Most motodops described perpetrators of gang rape as being aged between
18 and 23, and of average wealth.
"These figures present the first nationwide statistical evidence that young
male involvement in gang rape can no longer be dismissed as a 'Phnom Penh-only' issue,"
said the report, written by Tong Soprach for Care International's Playing Safe Project.
Soprach said the study showed a need to include information about basic human rights
and sexual consent in future reproduction education projects and urged the creation
of alternative recreational facilities for young people.
Another study released for the conference, From Cotton to Precious Gems, looked at
the experience of 22 prostitutes who work in Phnom Penh parks, noting the involvement
of police in the rape and assault of women.
