“Boys Are Like Gold”: The Gendered Differences in Sexual Violence Against Street-Involved Children in Southwest Cambodia

Author: Davis, Jarrett; Miles, Glenn; Eno, Maggie & Rowland, Andrew

Abstract: This paper explores findings from interviews with 130 children (55 girls and 75 boys) living or working on the streets and beaches in Sihanoukville, Cambodia and discusses their vulnerabilities to sexual exploitation and other forms of violence. The paper finds that while both genders indicate significant vulnerability to various forms of violence and exploitation, boys indicate experiencing higher rates of sexual violence and seem to be afforded greater independence and less supervision and protection by parents and guardians. In addressing these issues, this paper aims to add nuance to discussions on the vulnerabilities of street-involved males in Southeast Asia.

Keywords: human trafficking, sexual violence, boys, gender differences, Cambodia