STF Team Documenting VAW in Cambodia

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Our team is traveling to Cambodiato take a closer look at issues of violence against women and girls and work with organizations that are working to end such violence. As is commonly known, violence against women and girls happens in every country around the world with some common themes, such as domestic violence, as well as some differences, such as genital cutting/mutilation, child marriage, trafficking or acid attacks.

We will be working with two separate NGOs, both based out of Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. The first, Cambodian Acid Survivors Charity, helps to rehabilitate burn victims, primarily from acid but also from gasoline. We’ll be documenting stories of survivors and looking at the positive impact that CASC has had in their lives. The second NGO is called Youth Star and focuses on violence prevention. We will follow a couple of student volunteers to their villages to see what prevention strategies they implement and what has been successful as well as talk with victims of domestic violence.

Left to Right: Danielle Prince, Phil Borges, Ashlee Larson

Our small team consists of Phil Borges, Ashlee Larsen and me, Danielle Prince. Phil Borges is an internationally known documentary photographer and film-maker. His latest project Stirring the Fire, is a global movement to empower women and girls. He is a strong ally and voice in this movement. I am deeply grateful to him for the work he is doing and the commitment he brings to move these issues into the light.

Phil Borges

Ashlee Larsen is a recent graduate in photography from Brigham Young University. She brings an impressive background of world travel, having already travelled through Asia and pursuing her study abroad semester in the Pacific Islands, just to mention a few of the places she’s been. She is currently working on her capstone project in which she is photographing survivors of different types of trauma. Her skills as a photographer and perspectives as a world traveler are greatly appreciated!

Ashlee Larson

A little about me: I have a love of writing, travel, and more importantly, passion and experience working for women’s and girls’ rights. In Seattle I work with survivors of domestic violence. Prior to that, I worked at a micro-finance organization in New York focusing on women’s access to microloans. I hold an MA in International Development Studies with a concentration in women’s migration from the Global South to the Global North (specifically from Africa to Europe). I have also volunteered in places like Southern Sudan, Ghana and India in ways relating to women’s and girls’ rights as well as in Seattle for Women’s Refugee Alliance.

Danielle Prince

Stay tuned tomorrow as we begin documenting the work of Cambodian Acid Survivors Charity.  We look forward to sharing our trip with you!

Ending Violence against Women – Acid Burns

Acid burning is one of the most extreme forms of violence that causes severe physical and psychological scarring, and social ostracism. The victims of acid violence, largely women and girls, are often left with limited access to medical or psychological assistance, no legal recourse, and no means of livelihood.

Acid Survivors Trust International (ASTI) is the only organization in the world focused on combating and eradicating acid burns violence at the international level. In Cambodia, ASTI partners with Cambodian Acid Survivors Charity (CASC) to provide vital services to survivors of acid burns violence. With support from the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women, ASTI and CASC assist women survivors of acid violence to receive justice and to rebuild their lives. The organizations also sensitize and empower local communities to stand up against acid violence.

The UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women, managed by UN Women, is a leading source of support for local and national efforts to end violence against women and girls. Join the UN Trust Fund in this vital work—for more information on how you can support the UN trust Fund click here.

13 Responses to “STF Team Documenting VAW in Cambodia”

  1. Alan M. Thornton

    Have a great and safe trip in Cambodia, Phil. Drink an Ankor beer for me at the FCC on the Mekong. Looking forward to seeing the dispatches as you work with women’s groups there. All my best.

    • Danielle Prince

      Hi Alan,
      Thank you for your well wishes! Phil had an Ankor beer our first night here – I was a witness. There’s some great work being done here for acid burn survivors. More stories to come on the blog!

    • Danielle Prince

      Thank you for your kind words of support! There’s more to come.

  3. loli jocou

    love it i am also a photographer and one day someone mentioned Phill ,so here i am, happy to got know the work.

  4. kevin T.

    Phil,
    good to see you’re in country and making movies, images…
    the Ankor beer idea sounds good to me too…look forward to debriefing you upon your return. stay safe, kev

  5. Mary Margaret Welch

    Thank you for your passion, your focus and you willingness to do this important work. You are an inspiration! The universe is blessed to have folks like you to tell these important stories. Awareness creates power.

  6. Nilima

    GREAT WORK, GREAT TEAM 🙂 i wish i could be the part of it:)

    best wishes
    nilima from Nepal