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Secrets and family shame

Updated: Oct 18, 2023


No photo supplied from victim so she can stay anonymous, image from freepik.com
Image supplied by freepik.com

When Sothea was 18 years old, her brother-in-law committed rape against her. Despite this, the 50-year-old resident of Battambang province was unable to seek legal justice due to her family's desire to keep the incident a secret. Her father, who was known for his violent tendencies towards her mother, would not have been supportive either. Sothea recounted during an interview how she explained the event to her mother, who warned her not to tell her father, saying, "If you tell your father he will beat me to death."


In 2014, following the demise of her parents, she attempted to lodge a grievance at the nearest police station. Unfortunately, she was informed that the incident had taken place too far in the past to open an investigation.


Certain customs that allow for domestic violence to exist are observed in some societies.


In Cambodia, domestic violence is not usually taken seriously as it is seen by many as a private affair. This is due to the country's traditional view of wives as subordinate to their husbands. The lack of protection for victims in these kinds of cases is especially concerning.

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