No child should face the justice system alone.
Legal Aid Cambodia provides specialised legal aid for children in conflict with the law.
Legal Aid of Cambodia provides specialized legal support to children in conflict with the law, ensuring access to fair representation, protection under the law, and the opportunity to return to education, family, and community.
LAC’s Child Justice Program
Legal Aid of Cambodia is a national leader in advancing child justice and protecting the rights of children in conflict with the law. With nearly three decades of experience in Cambodia’s justice system, LAC provides:
– Specialized legal representation to children facing the justice system
– Legal rights education in detention facilities
– Training and capacity building for police, prosecutors, and courts to promote child-sensitive justice practices
As a founding member of the Child Justice Network, LAC has played a central role in shaping Cambodia’s juvenile justice framework, including contributing to the development and implementation of the 2016 Juvenile Justice Law. LAC also pioneered some of Cambodia’s earliest diversion initiatives, helping children avoid unnecessary detention and access rehabilitative services within their communities.
Through legal defence, capacity building, and policy advocacy, LAC continues to drive reforms that strengthen Cambodia’s justice system and protect the rights of vulnerable children.
The Situation
Across Cambodia, an estimated 4,000 children are currently held in detention, many for minor or non-violent offenses. Without legal representation, children often remain in pre-trial detention for extended periods, removed from school, separated from their families, and exposed to harmful detention environments.
Early contact with the criminal justice system can have lifelong consequences. Detained children frequently experience interrupted education, stigma, and long-term social discrimination, significantly limiting their future opportunities. Access to qualified legal aid is often the only pathway to ensure:
- Children’s rights are protected
- Detention is used only as a last resort
- Young people are given the chance to return to their families, education, and communities
Despite the scale of need, Legal Aid Cambodia is the last remaining organisation in the country providing specialized legal aid services for children in conflict with the law. Sustained support is critical to ensure that these children receive fair representation and that Cambodia maintains the legal expertise necessary to protect the rights of vulnerable young people.