We have received information that the management and child care at Love In Action (LIA) orphanage was not in line with the minimum standards, the Department of Social Affairs in Phnom Penh (DOSVY) in cooperation with the Department of Anti-human Trafficking and Juvenile Protection (AHTJP), Khan-Sangkat local authority as well as SISHA, went to do an inspection and spot check at LIA orphanage. Here you can check what has happen at LIA orphanage. It is located at #522, St.45BT, Thnaot Chrum village, Sangkat BoengTumpon, Khan Meanchey, Phnom Penh. This orphanage is controlled by an Australian woman named Ruth Golder, aged 71 and the findings were found as follows:
It is an unregistered orphanage, unlawful and not approved by any local authority. The children did not receive proper care based on the minimum standards of the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veteran and Youth Rehabilitation (MOSVY) and some children were physically assaulted and ran away from the orphanage. 7 others, who were previously under the care of LIA, are missing and their whereabouts are presently unconfirmed. Therefore, to ensure the remaining children received proper care based on the minimum standards as set out by law and also to ensure their safety, there was a need for a quick response to this case. The Department of Social Affairs in Phnom Penh (DOSVY) and the working team organized an operation on March 22ndto remove 21 children, aged from 3 months to 17 years. They were removed from LIA and given to M’lop Russey organization for continued care and LIA orphanage was closed. At present, the investigation is still ongoing by the police with continued support from SISHA as we search for the families of the children removed from LIA and search for the 7 children currently missing.