The APCE

Over the past five days, The Agency for the Prevention of Child Exploitation (The APCE) successfully completed an intensive staff development and operational training program for personnel from our Siem Reap branch.

The training combined both classroom-based instruction and practical field exercises, focusing on surveillance techniques, mobile surveillance operations, intelligence gathering, operational security, and investigative methodologies related to child protection cases.

Throughout the week, The APCE personnel participated in scenario-based exercises designed to strengthen situational awareness, operational coordination, evidence handling, and fieldcraft under realistic conditions. The program also emphasized professional standards, information security, and the continued development of investigative capabilities within our teams.

At The APCE, ongoing professional development remains a core part of our operational strategy as we continue strengthening our capacity to protect vulnerable children and support investigations across Cambodia.

We are proud of the commitment and professionalism demonstrated by our Siem Reap staff throughout the training.

One common misconception about child sexual offenders is that individuals who appear respectable, professional, or trustworthy could not possibly pose a risk to children. In reality, many offenders intentionally cultivate an image of reliability and kindness in order to gain the trust of families and communities while concealing harmful behavior.

Like many offenders, individuals who seek to exploit children often display recognizable behavioral patterns. They may show an unusual interest in spending time with children, particularly one specific child, while showing less interest in relationships with adults. Some may seek positions or environments that provide regular access to children.

Warning signs can include giving excessive attention, gifts, or special treatment to a child, isolating them from others, or taking an unusual number of photographs. Offenders may also gradually introduce inappropriate conversations, sexual jokes, or boundary-crossing behavior disguised as affection or playfulness. Physical contact that initially appears harmless may slowly become more intrusive over time.

Many offenders rely on manipulation rather than force. They may use secrecy, guilt, intimidation, or emotional dependence to prevent a child from speaking out. In some cases, they exploit their position as a trusted friend, relative, or authority figure to convince the child that they will not be believed.

Recognizing grooming behaviors and maintaining open communication with children are important steps in protecting them from abuse. If you observe concerning behavior or a child discloses abuse, take it seriously and seek appropriate support or report it to the relevant authorities.

Protecting children is a shared responsibility.

The fight against child exploitation is inseparable from the fight against poverty.

Financial hardship can push families into vulnerable situations where children are at increased risk. Offenders often exploit this reality by approaching families under the guise of support, i.e. offering money, building trust, and gradually gaining access to children. Others target children directly, using small amounts of money or gifts to manipulate and coerce them. In some cases, intermediaries are used to avoid detection.

Areas with high numbers of street-connected children can become focal points for this activity. Where vulnerability concentrates, so too does risk.

Awareness is a critical line of defence. Parents and caregivers should remain vigilant about who enters their children’s lives and ensure children understand the risks posed by strangers and false promises.

Protecting children starts with informed communities.

JOB ALERT

Field Agent – Siem Reap

The Agency for the Prevention of Child Exploitation is recruiting for the position of Field Agent based in Siem Reap.

This is a field-based role requiring professionalism, discretion, and a responsible approach to sensitive work.

Experience in security, investigations, or related fields is an advantage, but not essential for the right candidate.

If you are interested, please send a brief introduction and your CV to [email protected].
Shortlisted candidates will be contacted with further details.

Preventing Child Exploitation: Global Support Agency | The Agency for the Prevention of Child Exploitation The Agency for the Prevention of Child Exploitation offers vital investigative support to law enforcement and NGOs in Asia, focusing on field surveillance, forensic interviews, and undercover work to combat child exploitation.

📌 Official Notice

The Agency for the Prevention of Child Exploitation (APCE) is a fully registered non-governmental organisation.

Registration Details:
Registration Number: 80671151
Registered Name: The Agency for the Prevention of Child Exploitation
Jurisdiction: Estonia

The APCE operates in accordance with all applicable laws and regulatory requirements. We are committed to transparency, accountability, and the highest professional standards in all of our work.

For any verification requests or further information, please contact us directly.

Cases of parental abduction in Cambodia are an often overlooked aspect of child protection.

Cambodian law includes provisions relating to the unlawful removal of a minor. However, these are not always specifically designed to address situations where one parent takes a child without the consent of the other. As a result, such cases may not always be clearly treated as criminal matters.

The situation becomes more complex in cross-border cases. Cambodia is not a signatory to the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, which provides a framework for the prompt return of children between member states. In its absence, resolving international parental abduction cases can be slower and more dependent on varying legal and administrative processes.

This can create practical challenges. Cases may be treated as private family disputes rather than urgent safeguarding concerns, and left-behind parents may face limited legal options, often involving lengthy and costly proceedings.

For children, prolonged separation from a parent can contribute to emotional distress and instability, particularly during important stages of development.

These gaps highlight the importance of awareness, early intervention, and coordinated responses in cases involving potential parental abduction.

Happy Khmer New Year from the APCE team!

The 14th will officially mark the arrival of the new year. As we welcome this special holiday, we hope it brings everyone a renewed sense of hope and happiness. Whether you're staying home or out there celebrating, we extend our warm wishes to you and your loved ones. Let's always remember to look out for one another, especially the children of Cambodia, and ensure they are safe and cared for during this festive season. This year is set to bring many more great memories.

On 18 March 2026 a Belgian national has been arrested in Kep, in connection with alleged offences against children.

The arrest follows a sustained period of monitoring by The APCE in conjunction with multiple organisations working in child protection and law enforcement support roles. While details remain limited at this stage, the case highlights the ongoing risks faced by vulnerable children and the importance of vigilance within communities.

Cases of this nature are often complex and require time, coordination, and careful evidence gathering before action can be taken. This development reflects the continued efforts of those working to identify, document, and report harmful behaviour, ensuring that concerns are taken seriously and addressed through the appropriate legal channels.

We encourage anyone with information relating to child safety concerns to report it through the proper authorities or trusted organisations. Protecting children is a shared responsibility, and timely reporting can play a critical role in preventing harm.

Further updates will be provided if and when appropriate.

On this day of honour for women, we pay humble tribute to the countless Cambodian mothers whose strength is seldom seen, yet whose devotion shapes the future of a nation.

Across the villages, the markets, the fields, and the crowded streets, many rise before the first light of dawn and labour until the stars return to the sky. With weary hands and steadfast hearts, they toil without complaint — carrying baskets, tending the land, preparing food, sewing garments, and selling what little they may — all so that their children might walk a gentler road than the one they themselves have known.

Their hopes are not grand in the eyes of the world, yet they are mighty in their purpose: that their sons and daughters may grow in safety, learn in wisdom, and live in dignity.

In quiet sacrifice and boundless love, these women become the unseen pillars upon which families stand and communities endure. Their courage is not written in history books, yet it lives in every child who is fed, protected, and given the chance to dream.

To the mothers of Cambodia, whose labours are carried out with grace, patience, and unwavering devotion — we see you, we honour you, and we give thanks.

For it is through your strength, your sacrifice, and your love that the promise of tomorrow is kept alive.

Happy International Women’s Day.

Arrest and Removal of American Child S*x Offender from Cambodia

The Agency for the Prevention of Child Exploitation (APCE) participated in a multi-agency investigation that resulted in the arrest and removal of American national Wilbert Willis Holley from Cambodia.

The investigation involved cooperation between the Cambodian National Police, the Ministry of Interior, the General Department of Immigration, international law enforcement partners including the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Homeland Security Investigations, Hard Places Community, and The Agency for the Prevention of Child Exploitation (APCE), as well as other local NGOs.

Wilbert Willis Holley, who has previous convictions for serious offences against children in multiple countries, was detained in Phnom Penh on the evening of 7 February 2024. Following the investigation and observations of his interactions with children, he was transferred to the General Department of Immigration for further action and subsequently removed from Cambodia.

This case demonstrates the importance of strong cooperation between Cambodian authorities, international law enforcement agencies, and specialised child protection organisations. Through joint investigative work and information sharing, individuals who pose a threat to children can be identified and prevented from continuing their activities.

The APCE remains committed to supporting investigations and working alongside partner organisations to ensure that those who seek to exploit children are identified and appropriate action is taken.