First Step Cambodia is a non-governmental organization working in partnership toward strong child protection mechanisms, empowering children to be free from sexual abuse and living in safe and nurturing families. FSC advocates for and engages with boys to address social norms and gender issues affecting boys. Our purpose is that every child is supported and able to reach their full potential.

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We work to empower children and parents to become agents of child protection in schools and communities, developing the capacity of social service workforce working with children, providing therapeutic and direct support to children affected by sexual abuse, children who display harmful sexual behaviors, conducting research, and advocating for societal change.

 

At present, First Step Cambodia is nationally and internationally recognized as a leader in the provision of therapeutic services to both boys and girls. It remains the only organization in Cambodia that specialized in providing therapeutic and psycho-social support to boys with lived experience of sexual abuse and to children displaying problematic and harmful sexual behaviors, as well as their parents, caregivers, supporters, and communities.

Until the development of First Step’s specialized services, nothing of its kind existed in Cambodia. Through our advocacy efforts, capacity building of social service workforce working with children in Cambodia, and our close collaboration with partners and government, we are beginning to change beliefs that are considered taboo, every day improving the responses given to boys when they need or seek support.