INTRODUCTION
Project Childhood
Project Childhood is a $7.5 million initiative by the Australian Government aimed at combating child sexual exploitation in travel and tourism across Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos from 2011 to 2014 The project is implemented by World Vision Australia and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, in collaboration with INTERPOL Each implementing partner has specific goals and components outlined in Table 1, focusing on addressing this critical issue effectively.
Table 1: Project Childhood Prevention and Protection Pillars
Implementer World Vision Australia in partnership with
WV Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand, Viet Nam
& World Vision East Asia Regional Office
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in partnership with INTERPOL
The project aims to enhance the prevention and protection of child sexual exploitation within the travel and tourism sectors of Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand, and Vietnam By focusing on improved actions and responsiveness, the initiative seeks to effectively combat the sexual exploitation of both girls and boys in these four targeted countries.
Enhanced law enforcement capacity for national and transnational action to identify and effectively act upon travelling child-sex offenders in the 4 targeted countries Pillar
Support public & private sector response
Progress laws & regulations related to CSETT
Review scope & quality of operational outcomes
Main Stakeholders Community (children, parents, public);
National & provincial government; welfare agencies; travel & tourism sector
Police, prosecutors, judges; Criminal justice & law enforcement agencies
Evaluation Terms of Reference
The independent mid-term evaluation (IE) was conducted by Dr Martina Nicolls and Ms Shelley Casey, adhering to AusAID guidelines and OECD DAC criteria, focusing on key aspects such as relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, sustainability, gender equality, and monitoring and evaluation systems The evaluation aimed to assess the progress of the Prevention and Protection Pillars and to extract lessons learned from the initial two years of Project Childhood's activities from 2011.
2012), and (3) the relevance of the Project in the context of AusAID’s regional program priorities inSouth East Asia to inform management decisions beyond 2014.
Scope of the Evaluation
This evaluation focused on assessing the Prevention and Protection Pillars as distinct components, along with their interconnected Cross Pillar coordination mechanism Additionally, it examined various phases of the Project from its inception.
(1) Concept Phase – the formulation of AusAID’s Project Design Document (PDD);
5 AusAID (2012) Policy: Performance Management and Evaluation and http://www.oecd.org
(2) Inception Phase – after contract negotiations each Implementing Partner prepared separate a Project Implementation Design Document (PIDD);
(3) Implementation to date of the Mid-Term Evaluation – implementation to July 2013; and
(4) Implementation to the end of the Project – implementation to June 2014.
Methodology
The evaluation, conducted over 29 days from June to September 2013, began with a thorough desk review of the Project's background, planning, and implementation documents supplied by AusAID Bangkok This review enabled the evaluators to develop an Evaluation Plan that ensured comprehensive adherence to the OECD DAC evaluation criteria Throughout the evaluation process, the Implementing Partners contributed additional documentation, statistical data, and publications to support the assessment.
The evaluation involved 16 days of fieldwork across three of the four Project countries—Thailand, Viet Nam, and Cambodia—from July 15 to August 1, 2013 Evaluators conducted individual and group interviews, as well as focus group discussions with various Project stakeholders, both in-person and via Skype or telephone They visited key locations, including Bangkok and Chiang Mai in Thailand, Hanoi and Hai Phong in Viet Nam, and Phnom Penh and Siem Reap in Cambodia, focusing on designated CSETT ‘hotspots.’ AusAID Bangkok provided translation support during the fieldwork, and on August 2, 2013, the evaluators debriefed AusAID Bangkok on their preliminary findings.
The evaluation of a project across four countries over 16 fieldwork days required the exclusion of Lao PDR, leading evaluators to focus on Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam Despite this limitation, they conducted interviews with Lao PDR Prevention Pillar stakeholders in Bangkok during a regional staff meeting and reached out to others via phone or during coinciding visits Each country's five-day schedule included a visit to the capital and one additional site, which restricted the evaluators' ability to sample a wide range of project sites and stakeholders However, the inclusion of two cities per country allowed for a comprehensive examination of key project locations.
The evaluation took place during the Cambodian general elections on July 28, with some stakeholders unavailable due to voting in their home locations To facilitate interviews with stakeholders from Cambodia and Laos PDR, AusAID and Implementing Partners organized the evaluators' schedule to include the "First Regional Meeting to Establish the Legal Research Group" in Siem Reap, Cambodia, from August 1-2.
The evaluation faced challenges due to conflicting information in project and stakeholder documentation, as well as discrepancies between documentation and stakeholder experiences, timelines, and discussions Additionally, distinguishing between planned activities and those that were in progress or completed proved difficult To address these issues, evaluators employed triangulation, incorporating data that aligned with the perspectives of the majority of stakeholders and existing documentation.
DESIGN AND INCEPTION PHASES
Australian Aid Programming in South East Asia
Australian aid regional programs focus on preventing exploitation, protecting victims, and prosecuting criminals, exemplified by initiatives such as the Asia Regional Trafficking in Persons (ARTIP) Project and its successor, the Australia Asia Program to Combat Trafficking in Persons (AAPTIP), which operates from 2013 to 2018 to enhance criminal justice systems in Southeast Asia Additionally, the ILO TRIANGLE Project (2010-2015) aims to prevent labor exploitation of migrant workers in the Greater Mekong Sub-region, while the MTV EXIT Project has been actively raising awareness about human trafficking among youth in Southeast Asia since 2003.
CSETT Project Design Document (PDD)
Since 1999, the Australian Government has actively supported initiatives aimed at preventing child sexual exploitation in travel and tourism (CSETT) across ASEAN countries In 2007, AusAID commissioned the creation of a Strategy Paper focused on establishing a sustainable regional response to combat this critical issue.
AusAID has identified four key areas for enhancing programming related to children in tourism destinations: Prevention, Protection, Recovery and Reintegration of Victims, and Regional Cooperation and Coordination To effectively complement its initiatives in the region and minimize overlap, AusAID has initially focused on the critical aspects of Prevention, Protection, and Recovery.
The Prevention Pillar aims to safeguard children from victimization by raising awareness in at-risk communities, government sectors, and tourism companies through public campaigns, training, and dedicated reporting hotlines Meanwhile, the Protection Pillar focuses on enhancing the safety of vulnerable children by providing training to local law enforcement, ultimately striving to boost arrests and prosecutions However, the Recovery Pillar was not included due to the intricate systems required for effective victim recovery and the resource constraints faced by AusAID.
The Strategy Paper culminated in the creation of a Project Design Document (PDD) for Project Childhood, aimed at mitigating CSETT through a dual approach that integrates both the Prevention and Protection Pillars This comprehensive initiative is set to span four years with a total budget of $7.5 million.
The 2010 AusAID’s Report on Quality at Entry and Next Steps to Complete Design for Project
The Childhood (QAE) internal review process raised concerns regarding the project design, highlighting that the Prevention Pillar inadequately addressed attitudinal and behavioral change as well as child participation Additionally, there was confusion between child trafficking and child sexual exploitation in the Protection Pillar, as these issues are not necessarily interconnected AusAID's report emphasized the need for a Sustainability Strategy, Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) Framework, and a Gender Action Plan for both Pillars These essential documents were to be developed by each Implementing Partner during the Inception Phase, which was a six-month period dedicated to refining the project design, culminating in the creation of a Project Implementation Design Document (PIDD) for both the Prevention and Protection Pillars.
6 ARTIP ended in August 2011 and was followed by the ARTIP Transition Project which ended in March 2013
7 http://www.artipproject.org/ (Accessed on August 5 2013)
8 ASEAN = Association of South East Asian Nations, formed in 1967, which includes: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Viet Nam.
9 AusAID, Report on Quality at Entry and Next Steps to Complete Project Design for Project Childhood, 7 October 2009, p2 how each Pillar will be operationalized 10
On February 12, 2010, AusAID approved the Project Design Document, stipulating that each Implementing Partner must finalize their Project Implementation Design Document by incorporating QAE comments during the Inception Phase prior to moving forward with implementation Additionally, a stop-go review point was established at the end of the Inception Phase for both Pillars.
Inception Phase - Project Implementation Design Document (PIDD)
On August 10, 2010, AusAID established a cooperation agreement with UNODC for the Protection Pillar, followed by a partnership with World Vision Australia for the Prevention Pillar on December 23, 2010, after a competitive selection process Both organizations were tasked with developing separate Project Implementation Design Documents (PIDD) within a six-month Inception Phase to meet AusAID's requirements.
The Prevention Pillar began its Inception Phase in February 2011 and submitted the Project Implementation Design Document (PIDD) in September, which was approved by AusAID in December after revisions The finalization of the Inception Phase took 11 months, with the revised PIDD approved in January 2012 Key strategic changes included adopting a multi-pronged systems strengthening approach to child protection based on UNICEF's 2008 Child Protection Strategy, emphasizing a holistic prevention approach centered on children, transitioning from strengthening reporting hotlines to enhancing general advice helplines, and broadening the focus to include parents.
The Protection Pillar commenced its Inception Phase in November 2010, submitting the PIDD in May
In 2011, AusAID called for additional amendments to enhance gender issues, capacity building, institutional strengthening, and legal analysis The PIDD was resubmitted in September 2011 and received approval in December, with further revisions made in February 2012, resulting in a finalization process that extended over a year.
Table 2: Project Childhood Design and Inception Timeline
AusAID Concept PDD 2009 to February 2010
Cooperation Agreement Signed December 2010 Signed August 2010
Inception Phase PIDD 4 months for Prevention
Pillar and 6 months for Protection Pillar 15
Feb to Sept 2011 (7m) Nov 10 to Sept 11 (10m)
Approved with revisions Dec 2011 (10m) Dec 2011 (13m)
Full Implementation From September 2011 From January 2012
Reporting Phase From September 2011 From September 2011
Notes: PDD: Project Design Document; PIDD: Project Implementation Design Document
13 World Vision (April 2012), Six Monthly Report, 1 September 2011 – 31 March 2012, p1
Design Concerns
AusAID managers raised significant concerns during the design phase of Project Childhood in 2009 and highlighted in the 2010 QAE Report Key issues included the project's specific focus on child protection and trafficking, which were conflated; the recognition that it is a multi-country initiative rather than a regional program, concentrating on select Mekong sub-region countries; an overemphasis on cross-border strategies in the Protection Pillar instead of an in-country approach; the existence of two separate projects with limited connections; the challenge of one organization managing both the 'soft' advocacy in the Prevention Pillar and the 'hard' law enforcement in the Protection Pillar, necessitating two implementing organizations; the presence of distinct performance assessment frameworks lacking unified criteria; and a limited emphasis on the travel and tourism sector, primarily addressing child issues in the Prevention Pillar and legal aspects in the Protection Pillar.
Despite the 2010 QAE Report from AusAID highlighting significant concerns regarding sustainability, gender, and monitoring strategies, the project was approved for implementation It was anticipated that the two Implementing Partners would tackle these issues during the Inception Phase.
The Inception Phase for the Prevention and Protection Pillars of Project Childhood was significantly extended, lasting 11 months for Prevention and 14 months for Protection, instead of the planned 6 months This prolonged timeline highlights the sensitivity and complexity of the project, necessitating careful consideration of strategies, approaches, and conceptual frameworks related to both prevention and protection within CSETT.
Cross Pillar Coordination
A significant design consideration for the project was Cross Pillar coordination, with AusAID aiming for an integrated and sustainable approach that would embed the initiative within child protection and law enforcement This strategy was intended to create a comprehensive response to CSETT However, the project design did not explicitly incorporate a Cross Pillar approach, as AusAID anticipated that cooperation, communication, and collaborative activities among the Pillars would develop naturally.
In the Inception Phase, AusAID recognized a disconnect between assumptions and reality, prompting the engagement of an external facilitation team for a Cross Pillar workshop in October 2011, prior to the approval of the Pillars’ PIDDs The facilitation team identified that varying operational and conceptual approaches, along with differing interpretations of key terminology, hindered effective collaboration between the Pillars at the activity level While the Protection Pillar was prepared to explore joint activities and partnerships, the Prevention Pillar sought more in-depth discussions and consultations Consequently, Cross Pillar cooperation remained largely inactive during this phase, as the Prevention Pillar had not yet recruited and mobilized their national staff.
16 Adapted from AusAID’s Strategy Paper (Sept 2009) and 2010 Quality at Entry Report (2010)
17 AusAID (Feb 2012) 2011 Quality at Implementation Report, p7
The evaluators observed that although AusAID recognized the significance of Cross Pillar functionality, it did not fully understand that Cross Pillar principles do not inherently or effortlessly promote the integration of both conceptual and operational joint activities.
Stop-Go Review Point
At the conclusion of the Inception Phase for both Pillars, a stop-go review point will be established, as indicated by the QAE The Prevention Pillar submitted its final Program Implementation Design Document (PIDD) on January 18, 2012, which received AusAID's approval within the same month Similarly, the Protection Pillar submitted its final PIDD in February 2012, also gaining AusAID's approval that month.
Although final approval for both Pillars was not granted until early 2012, interim approval was given while revisions to their PIDDs were made As a result, the Prevention Pillar's initial six-monthly report spanned from September 2011 to March 2012 at AusAID's request, while the Protection Pillar's first report covered September 2011 to May 2012 Therefore, AusAID considered that both Pillars began implementation in September 2011.
On February 23, 2012, AusAID released its first Quality at Implementation Report (QAI) for Project Childhood, which had previously been exempt from QAI reporting in 2010 during its Inception Phase The report highlighted significant progress in enhancing the knowledge base of CSETT, identifying hotspots, developing gender strategies, and fostering relationships with host governments However, it raised several concerns, including the lack of quantitative analysis and national statistics on CSETT, incomplete baseline data, insufficient national work plans, the absence of formalized relationships with government through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), delays in staff recruitment, and budget reallocations that diverted funds from implementation to the Inception Phase.
The report emphasized the essential role of Cross Pillar coordination for the Project's success, noting that different implementation approaches in operational areas could lead to insufficient coordination between overlapping activities The 2011 QAI Report, cleared on March 1, 2011, highlighted serious concerns, yet the PIDDs received approval a month prior to the report's release.
Despite AusAID's efforts to extend the Inception Phase for Implementing Partners to refine their conceptual approaches and coordination strategies for Cross Pillar linkages, the organization failed to decisively address these issues This oversight occurred during the Inception Phase and at the critical stop-go review decision point, where they could have chosen to pause or terminate the Project.
The evaluators did not reference AusAID's approval document; however, both implementation partners (IPs) and AusAID personnel confirmed the approval month The submission dates are detailed in the IPs' first quarterly reports.
20 World Vision (April 2012), Six Monthly Report, 1 September 2011 – 31 March 2012, p1
21 UNODC (May 2012), Project Implementation Semi Annual Progress Report
Challenges for Project Implementation
The evaluators noted that the Project Childhood design melded and confused the following conceptual approaches which prolonged the Inception Phase: (1) regional with multi-country; and
(2) issues-based with systems-based These approaches, and AusAID’s concerns, continue into the implementation of the Project These will be outlined in the implementation findings.
The evaluators have meticulously documented the design and inception phases of a complex four-country Project aimed at combating child sexual exploitation in travel and tourism Each participating country faces unique political, economic, social, legal, and geographic challenges that complicate these efforts The Project's success hinges on a precise understanding of relevant terminology, concepts, strategies, and regulations Beyond a commitment to safeguarding children's rights, AusAID is dedicated to ensuring effective and sustainable outcomes for Project Childhood Consequently, this evaluation critically examines the inputs, outputs, outcomes, and progress of the Implementing Partners during the initial phase as they transition into the latter stages of implementation.
Mobilization and Transition from Inception to Implementation
The Prevention Pillar regional headquarters staff commenced in February 2011 National Coordinators were recruited in Thailand in January 2012, in Cambodia and Viet Nam in February
In April 2012, Lao PDR marked a significant milestone a year after the Inception Phase began The Protection Pillar regional staff started their roles in November 2010, with INTERPOL joining in June 2011 By August 2011, National Project Officers were established in all four countries, just nine months into the Inception Phase.
Table 3: Project Childhood Staffing Timeline
Implementation Phase Inception Phase* Feb 2011 to Jan 2012 Nov 2010 to Feb 2012
Full Implementation From September 2011 From January 2012 (reporting from Sept 2011)
Staffing Finalized Regional HQ: Feb 2011 Regional HQ: Dec 2010
Thailand: Jan 2012 Cambodia: Feb 2012 Viet Nam: Feb 2012 Lao PDR: April 2012
Thailand: Dec 2010 Cambodia: Feb 2011 Viet Nam: August 2011 Lao PDR: August 2011 Note: *The Inception Phase covers the period to the final approval of the Project Implementation Design Document (PIDD)
During the Inception Phase, each Pillar was tasked with mobilizing key personnel to the regional headquarters in Bangkok, developing the Project Implementation Design Document (PIDD), recruiting staff, and initiating host government agreements While the Protection Pillar successfully established its staffing at the country level by the start of the reporting period in September 2011 and had approval by February 2012, the Prevention Pillar lagged behind There was a lack of clarity for the Prevention Pillar regarding the necessity to begin activities during the Inception Phase, resulting in a delay in recruitment until after the phase's approval.
26 World Vision (July 2013), Project Childhood Prevention Pillar Staff Outline, requested by evaluators
The Prevention Pillar faced significant challenges in documenting their PIDD and establishing structures for full implementation due to minimal staffing since September 2011 This transition period between the Inception Phase and the start of implementation led to delays in forming partnerships with host governments and in establishing partner NGOs for specific activities in each country.
EVALUATION FINDINGS: OUTCOMES, ACHIEVEMENTS AND IMPACTS
Outcomes and Achievements
The following chart presents the major outcomes and achievements of both the Prevention Pillar and the Protection Pillar reported to July 2013: 28
Table 4: Project Outcomes and Achievements
OUTCOME 1: Selected vulnerable communities are more resilient against child sexual exploitation in travel and tourism
Support to 6 CSOs working to prevent CSETT; 30
Education initiatives to 410 children (246 F, 164 M) and 122 parents and carers (90 F, 32 M) in tourism hotspots; 31
Training to 525 community representatives (233 F, 283 M), including local government officials, social workers and teachers on how to prevent children from sexual exploitation in tourism hotspots 32
OUTCOME 2: Selected national information and communication mechanisms for vulnerable girls and boys are improved
Extending the existing Cambodia Child Helpline to 2 tourism CSETT hotspots resulting in 14,625 total helpline beneficiaries
OUTCOME 3: Tourism sector and traveling public participate in the development of a protective environment for children in travel and tourism
The development of Child Safe Tourism (CST) campaign concepts with endorsement from National Tourism Organisations;
Trainings for CST campaign to 490 private tourism personnel (220 F,
223 M) on keeping children safe from abuse in travel and tourism; 33
Market research surveying over 300 international travellers to the region resulting in a publication on their perspectives of CST;
The launch of a regional Child Safe Tourism campaign to promote child safe travel for people coming to South East Asia;
Training to 15 media members (7 F, 8 M) on child protection in tourism.
OUTCOME 4: Key government ministries and agencies take increased action to strengthen the protective environment to prevent the sexual exploitation of girls and boys sustainably
Support to ministerial staff to increase their knowledge and capacity;
Technical assistance on the implementation of national action plan;
Child Safe Tourism Committee meeting conducted in Cambodia with Ministry of Tourism;
Delivery of a presentation at the World Vision Asia Pacific Urban Forum in Bangkok, March 2013.
28 Project Childhood Standing Brief (Jan 2013), pp2-3, World Vision (2012) 2012 Annual Report 1, p2, WV 2013 Six-Monthly Report, p4, UNODC Project Childhood Annual Report 2012 and Semi-Annual Progress Report June-July 2013
29 Targets are not specified in the Prevention Pillar’s M&E Plan for most activities, except some for Outcome 1 and
Outcome 3 (shown below), and reporting amalgamates achievements from all countries
30 AusAID Program Target: Support to two CSOs that are working to prevent CSETT tourism in each country (end-of- program target: 8)
In Year 1, the goal is to engage at least 40 girls, boys, and 30 parents or caregivers in each country, with an increase in Year 2 to 100 children and 90 parents or caregivers in two designated locations per country annually The mid-term target aims for the participation of at least 560 children and 840 parents and caregivers, focusing on hotspot areas identified by the Implementing Partner.
In Year 1, the goal is to engage at least 20 community members and duty bearers in training initiatives per country From Year 2 onwards, this target will increase to a minimum of 40 participants in two locations per country each year, with a mid-way target of involving at least 400 community members and duty bearers overall.
33 Target Outcome 3: At least 20 tourism sector stakeholders per country have increased knowledge and capacity in Year 1
& from Year 2 at least 40 tourism sector training participants per country have increased knowledge and capacity (mid-way target: at least 320)
Legal Analysis Reports completed in all countries (Feb 2012) & formally approved in Cambodia & Laos;
Increased understanding of sexual abuse and CSETT issues amongst key justice sector stakeholders;
New Prakas (decree) on inter-agency coordination in Cambodia
Viet Nam agreed to incorporate report’s recommendations in its on- going Penal Code & Penal Procedure Code reform process;
The Lao Legal Responsible Committee has been established to monitor legal report findings and will conduct additional surveys This initiative aims to introduce a new CSETT Decree or integrate CSETT reforms into the anticipated review of the Penal Law in 2015.
Regional Legal Research Group established and first meeting held (with
OUTCOME 2: Informed and capable front-line law enforcement officers, prosecutors and judges
Establishment of Police Training Technical Working Groups in Thailand, Viet Nam & Cambodia in 2012, and in Laos in 2013;
Regional generic training manuals for front-line police officers & specialist investigators finalized in Jan 2013, translated into 4 languages ( editing and country contextualisation ongoing);
Strong sense of counterpart ownership over the process, and improved understanding on CSETT issues amongst Working Group members.
Regional Training of Trainers delivered to 45 trainers in June 2013;
Training for Cambodian police gender focal point-people on sexual exploitation of children and gender-based violence;
Regional training for 6 police officers in March 2013 on use of INTERPOL’s Victim Identification Laboratory;
Training of 32 police (Sept 2012 ) and 32 prosecutors and judges (July
2013) on computer-facilitated crimes against children in collaboration with ICMEC;
Equipment needs assessments completed Feb 2013 in Thailand, Cambodia & Viet Nam (one hotspot location each & two in Viet Nam).
OUTCOME 3: Mechanisms established to enhance cooperation between criminal justice agencies within and across borders
Bilateral police cooperation meeting conducted in Thailand/Cambodia in Aug 2012 and Regional Law Enforcement Cooperation Workshops in Oct 2012;
Establishment of INTERPOL Specialists Group on Crimes against Children in South East Asia, & first regional meeting in March 2013.
Teams (JITs) established and operational
Designated focal point police agencies agreed in Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia (Laos still pending);
Ad hoc information sharing and operational support from Interpol in relation to cases of child trafficking, sexual abuse and CSETT.
In September 2012, a joint submission was prepared for the UN Special Rapporteur on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution, and Child Pornography, addressing the issue of 'sex tourism involving children' to aid the Human Rights Council's report in March 2013 This submission highlighted collaborative efforts in Community Policing and other initiatives aimed at combating child sexual abuse in critical hotspots throughout Thailand The initiative involved a Cross Pillar cooperation with the Royal Thai Police to establish community police teams across 40 targeted pilot areas, enhancing the partnership between law enforcement and local communities to effectively identify and investigate cases of child sexual abuse.
On November 13-14, 2012, a Community Policing Seminar was held, where the Prevention Pillar provided training on Keeping Children Safe from Sexual Abuse to 77 community police officers and 41 duty bearers, comprising 20 females and 89 males This seminar brought together police representatives from Cambodia, Lao PDR, Viet Nam, and Thailand to enhance their skills in child protection.
The project aimed to prevent and protect children from sexual exploitation in travel and tourism across four targeted countries Initially, Cross Pillar coordination faced challenges in 2011 due to staffing delays; however, by September 2012, collaboration significantly improved An external facilitation team contracted by AusAID conducted two workshops to enhance communication and coordination By 2012, the facilitation team observed numerous successful cooperative efforts between the Pillars at the national level, with increased information sharing and staff participation in joint activities Furthermore, the Pillars collaborated to summarize their achievements in progress reports submitted to AusAID every six months.
In November 2012, a regional workshop facilitated national-level cooperation among community police from Cambodia, Lao PDR, Vietnam, and Thailand, marking a significant achievement for AusAID's holistic approach to combating child sexual exploitation and trafficking (CSETT) This initiative included a notable collaboration with the Royal Thai Police to establish community police teams in 40 targeted pilot locations aimed at identifying and investigating child sexual abuse cases Additionally, a joint submission was made in September 2012 to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on child exploitation, outlining the two-Pillar cooperation to address child sexual abuse in key travel and tourism hotspots in Thailand The UN Special Rapporteur later commended Project Childhood in December 2012 for its innovative approach to tackling the escalating issue of CSETT.
Impacts
The evaluation serves as a mid-term performance assessment rather than a conclusive impact evaluation, making it premature to gauge the effects of each Pillar's activities Progress towards long-term objectives has been slow, attributed to delays in the Inception Phase, staff recruitment, and governmental timelines, which could hinder the overall achievement of project goals Nonetheless, interviews and observations indicate that the Project has significantly enhanced understanding and awareness of CSETT among justice sector stakeholders across all four participating countries, with a notable commitment from governments to tackle CSETT from both preventive and law enforcement angles.
36 Milner (2012) Project Childhood’s Facilitators’ Report: (Second Cross Pillar Facilitation Report for Project Childhood), p2
37 For example, Annex 6 Cross Pillar Achievements, in World Vision (June 2013) Six-monthly Report
38 Project Childhood Standing Brief (Jan 2013), pp2-3
39 World Vision (2012) Annual Report 1, p6 and Annex 6
EVALUATION FINDINGS: RELEVANCE
Prevention Pillar
The Prevention PIDD identified four outcomes (components) which represented stakeholder levels:
The Pillar engaged with national government agencies and travel and tourism organizations, focusing on fostering public and private partnerships to enhance community development.
During the Inception Stage, two hotspot locations were identified in each country for component 1 and component 2 to facilitate community-level operations In Thailand, the hotspots are Pattaya and Chiang Mai; in Vietnam, they are Hai Phong and Ho Chi Minh City; Cambodia features Mondulkiri and Siem Reap; and Lao PDR includes Vientiane and Luang Prabang By the mid-term evaluation in 2013, the Prevention Pillar expanded its collaboration to additional community locations.
Table 6: Prevention Pillar Hotspot Locations by Country
Phnom Penh Preah Sihanouk Siem Reap
Phnom Penh; Kampong Cham Kampong Thom; Preah Sihanouk
Vientiane capital Luang Prabang province
Luang Prabang province Vientiane capital
Koh Samui (Suratthani) Koh Chang (Trad)*
Ho Chi Minh Hai Phong
Hoa Binh Lao Cai Quang Ninh
Source: World Vision, July 31, 2013, as requested by the evaluators (* denotes locations commencing activities after the last reporting period, i.e March 31 to July 31, 2013)
The initial locations selected for community support in C1 and C3 were determined based on thorough baseline assessments and the needs expressed by host governments A notable example is Mondulkiri in Cambodia, an emerging eco-tourism destination, which has been prioritized for Prevention Pillar support due to the absence of child protection services in the area.
The Prevention Pillar initially aimed to focus on two specific sites per country for C1 and C3, but has since expanded its scope to additional locations due to implementation delays This broader reach may hinder the Pillar's capacity for thorough community engagement in the originally planned sites associated with CSETT While the two designated locations in each country's PIDD remain suitable, identifying the precise hotspots within these areas is essential for effective intervention.
40 World Vision (Sept 2011), Project Implementation Design Document, p6
Pillar has chosen to operate lies on the periphery of travel and tourist sites, for local and/or international tourists
The Pillar's initial selection of entry locations was primarily opportunistic rather than strategic, with four out of eight key sites for community-based (C1) activities—Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Hai Phong, and Ho Chi Minh City—integrated within existing area-based development programs (ADPs) This choice was influenced by two main factors: first, the ADPs already had the necessary permissions to operate, allowing the Prevention Pillar to bypass a lengthy Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) process by extending the existing ADP MOU; second, local NGOs could be quickly identified through partnerships within the ADPs, facilitating the establishment of contractual agreements Although the ADPs employed a poverty reduction and child protection approach, their relevance to a CSETT prevention program was not explicitly aligned.
The Pillar's efforts in hotspot locations have not consistently focused on high-risk districts or vulnerable children and families In Pattaya, the Project effectively collaborates with existing initiatives aimed at street children and HIV/AIDS prevention, targeting those identified as high-risk for CSETT However, in Hai Phong, Chiang Mai, and Mondulkiri, the Prevention Pillar has directed its attention towards eco-tourist areas, backpackers, and luxury hotels, rather than directly addressing high-risk children Notably, in late 2013, the Pillar plans to extend its operations to a remote district in Chiang Mai, located five hours from the main tourist hub, influenced by the choice of NGO and government partner preferences regarding location selection.
Community, NGO and Government Partners
From June 2012 to 2013, the Pillar successfully identified key government agencies and secured their commitment to the Project through the formulation of Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) Although these agencies could have been identified during the Inception Phase, the recruitment of national staff by regional managers delayed the establishment of government relationships The Pillar primarily targeted child protection and child trafficking agencies within host governments, leveraging existing committees and organizations However, this approach led to delays in advancing specific Child Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking (CSETT) policies, as the focus remained on general child protection issues for an extended period, even at the project's midpoint.
Other partnerships were also delayed or only initiated in 2013 For example, the Child Helpline in Thailand, under the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, was approached in March
In 2013, the Child Helpline, supported by significant government funding, relocated to modern facilities equipped with advanced technology Initial project discussions focused on raising awareness among children in selected Bangkok schools during the latter half of the year However, stakeholders emphasized that advocacy efforts would target the broader issue of preventing child sexual abuse rather than specifically addressing CSETT.
Conceptual Approach to CSETT and CSETT Messages
The Prevention Pillar's approach to community training redefines the concept of 'child sex tourism' by shifting the focus from viewing children solely as victims to recognizing them as survivors This paradigm shift fosters important discussions and emphasizes the need to build resilience against Child Sex Exploitation and Trafficking (CSETT) By addressing gaps in understanding identified through evidence-based research on child sex abuse perpetrated by traveling offenders, the Prevention Pillar aims to enhance the sustainability and effectiveness of the Project However, it cautions that limiting the recognition of offenders may undermine these efforts.
‘only foreigners’ where the key vulnerability gap identified is the lack of basic awareness of child sexual abuse per se.
The Prevention Pillar adopted a comprehensive approach to community-based messaging, emphasizing the prevention of all forms of violence, abuse, and exploitation of children, rather than focusing solely on Child Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking (CSETT) This approach was deemed more beneficial for children, as it acknowledges the interconnected nature of various vulnerabilities Interviews with stakeholders often did not clearly identify the project's aim as specifically preventing CSETT, making it challenging for evaluators to extract key messages related to CSETT from partner NGOs and government agencies.
The training curriculum's English version reveals a significant oversight regarding CSETT, as it is merely an optional element for duty bearers and parents, while completely absent in children's training materials This gap represents a missed opportunity for developing effective interventions tailored to families and children vulnerable to exploitation in travel and tourism The focus has consistently been on peripheral issues rather than the core problem Furthermore, if Prevention Pillar coordinators are indeed tackling CSETT, their messages are not effectively reaching NGO partners and beneficiaries.
Protection Pillar
The Protection Pillar, in collaboration with government counterparts, identified specific hotspot locations for its Operational Component, as detailed in Table 7 While general locations were selected during the PIDD phase, the exact districts and police units were only determined in early 2013 and remain unconfirmed in Laos PDR Although the identified hotspots seem relevant, their effectiveness is challenging to evaluate since the Operational Component has not yet commenced Notably, eight of the Protection Pillar locations overlap with the Prevention Pillar.
Table 7: Protection Pillar Hotspot Locations by Country
PIDD Hotspot Location Operational partners agreed 2013
Phnom Penh Anti Human Trafficking and Juvenile Protection Unit
Pattaya Children Women and Family Protection and Anti-Human Trafficking Centre
Vung Tau Criminal Police Department
Source: Protection Pillar PIDD and Semi-Annual Progress Report January-June 2013.
The Protection Pillar has effectively identified key government ministries for partnerships, focusing on national ministries of justice for law reform, national police forces, specialized units addressing crimes against children, and police training schools Notably, there is strong collaboration with foreign liaison officers, including the Australian Federal Police, and technical advisors from the Asia Regional Trafficking in Persons Project (ARTIP) However, establishing these relationships and agreements with government counterparts has been time-consuming, with the process still ongoing at the conclusion of the extended Inception Phase Specifically, due to challenges in the government approval process, the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with police counterparts in Laos PDR was only finalized in May 2013.
The PIDD recognized that a robust legal framework is vital for enhancing law enforcement's ability to combat CSETT To address this, the Protection Pillar engaged a consultant to conduct a comprehensive review of existing laws across various countries, analyzing offenses related to CSETT, such as rape, sexual abuse, child prostitution, and child pornography While the consultant provided tailored recommendations for each country, the generic action plans lacked consideration for the unique legislative reform processes and existing entry points within each nation However, this issue has been mitigated through ongoing discussions with government counterparts, leading to the integration of some recommendations into current or planned law reforms, such as the Penal Code reforms in Vietnam and Laos PDR Despite these efforts, the necessity of reassessing the relevance of legislative reform on a country-specific basis, considering the identified gaps, remains unaddressed.
While most legal reform recommendations are relevant, the reports fail to address specific CSETT-related crimes, such as New Zealand's laws against organizing or promoting child sex tourism Additionally, some suggested reforms, like new CSETT-specific MOUs and mutual legal assistance treaties, may be unnecessary as they could duplicate existing agreements like the ASEAN MLAT Furthermore, certain areas earmarked for follow-up support, such as child rights and protection law reform in Vietnam, are only loosely connected to the criminalization of CSETT.
Generic regional police training manuals on child sexual exploitation have been created for front-line officers and specialist investigators, emphasizing a collaborative development process that has fostered significant government involvement Informed by a training needs assessment conducted in Thailand and Cambodia, along with national consultations through Police Training Working Groups, these manuals focus on investigative challenges related to child sexual exploitation and trafficking (CSETT) They encompass essential elements of CSETT investigations, such as child-sensitive interview techniques, crime scene preservation, digital evidence collection, and international cooperation, particularly regarding extradition However, the manuals fall short in addressing the important issue of extra-territoriality, which allows for the prosecution of traveling offenders in their home countries.
Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam have ratified the agreement, while Thailand has signed it but has not yet ratified it The mutual legal assistance and extradition processes are standardized across all participating countries, irrespective of the offense type ARTIP/APTIP is collaborating with these nations to enhance their ability to utilize existing legal instruments effectively.
The law serves as a comprehensive framework for child rights, featuring a specific chapter dedicated to child protection Child victims of Child Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking (CSETT) are categorized as "children in special circumstances," aligning with the National Child Protection Strategy's goal to shift away from issue-specific approaches This strategy aims to define prevention and response services more broadly When a CSETT perpetrator leaves the jurisdiction, pursuing prosecution in their home country may be more feasible than extradition to the country where the crime occurred Several countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and many European nations, have enacted laws addressing CSETT in this context However, the training manual lacks guidance on this prosecutorial option and does not specify which countries hold their nationals accountable for CSETT offenses committed abroad or how to engage foreign liaison officers for assistance.
The training manuals are being translated and tailored to fit the local context, ensuring their relevance by integrating national laws and adjusting procedures to align with local investigative processes and standard operating procedures (SOPs) This includes the incorporation of country-specific case studies Police counterparts in Thailand and Vietnam have highlighted the necessity to modify the manuals to accurately represent the distinct roles and functions of front-line officers (FLOs) and investigative police, which differ from the current presentation in the manuals.
In partnership with the International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (ICMEC), training sessions for police, prosecutors, and judges on online exploitation and computer-facilitated crimes against children were conducted in September 2012 and July 2013, respectively This initiative has been positively received and highlights a growing concern in the region However, interviews with counterparts indicate that there is an overemphasis on internet-related crimes and online grooming, overshadowing more immediate threats, as most CSETT perpetrators typically exploit intermediaries and target children in easily identifiable locations like hotels and brothels Additionally, language barriers hinder law enforcement's ability to effectively monitor online communications for identifying offenders.
The hotspots, police partners and proposed targets appear to be relevant and appropriate, but this is difficult to assess since the operational component has not really begun.
EVALUATION FINDINGS: EFFECTIVENESS
Prevention Pillar
Between May and June 2012, the Prevention Pillar conducted a targeted online survey aimed at international travelers to Asia, gathering insights on their attitudes and interactions with children during their journeys The survey, which ran for one month and was accessible to English-speaking tourists through social media, email, and internet forums, received 533 responses, of which 316 were deemed valid for analysis.
In November 2012, the Prevention Pillar launched the Child Safe Tourism campaign and website, which was translated into multiple languages, including Korean, Japanese, and English The initiative received positive feedback from national governments and tourism agencies, leading to the Laos government implementing the materials Additionally, Thailand's Ministry of Tourism and Sport, along with Chiang Mai University, agreed to conduct child exploitation awareness training based on the campaign The Pillar also initiated discussions at the Mekong Tourism Forum in early 2013 to further promote the campaign.
Although the Child Safe Tourism campaign launched a website in 2012 it is not yet operated and
The Prevention Pillar, currently managed by World Vision, is owned by a government entity or regional group While potential partners for its handover, such as the Mekong Tourism Forum or The Code, have been identified, engagement with these partners has not yet taken place.
Campaign materials were created at the Prevention Pillar headquarters in Bangkok and require contextualization for each country to facilitate adoption The delay in implementing the campaign, as noted by the Prevention Pillar, stems from the time needed to gather specifications from national government partners and obtain approval for customized campaign artwork tailored to each country's requirements Development of the campaigns is progressing organically as stakeholders show interest in promoting the CSETT message.
At the mid-term stage, the Project’s Child Safe Tourism campaign exists more as a concept than a concrete product that travel agencies, hotels, guest houses, and transport companies can easily adopt To enhance stakeholder engagement, providing a tangible example, such as a 'campaign in a suitcase' or a brochure, could effectively illustrate the campaign's objectives and facilitate its implementation.
Travel brochures should be tailored to each country to enhance the effectiveness of the campaign's messaging Although it's too early to evaluate the campaign's overall effectiveness, its messaging strategy resembles the successful Friends International Child Safe campaign, which has garnered positive feedback from stakeholders Once the campaign messages are finalized for each country, tourism organizations can be trained to effectively communicate these messages within their industry.
By the end of 2012, the Project successfully trained 1,148 individuals in child protection, helpline access, and resilience-building within vulnerable communities Three sets of community training materials were created for duty bearers, parents, and children at the regional level, which are utilized by national coordinators and NGO partners for grassroots advocacy This community-focused training, which incorporates the use of message and image cards, complements broader government and tourism organizational awareness efforts It is anticipated that national Prevention Pillar coordinators and training partners will adapt these materials to suit their specific country contexts.
Evaluators have raised concerns regarding the effectiveness of community training materials, particularly in terms of quality, standardization, and delivery Developed regionally using a 'Westernized' approach, these materials lack contextualization for each country's unique national context The presentation of CSETT prevention fails to account for critical cultural factors and vulnerabilities identified in baseline studies, such as family stressors, reliance on child labor, and societal norms surrounding sexual relations While the Prevention Pillar has tasked national coordinators and training partners with adapting these materials, stakeholders report a lack of comprehensive guidance on effective beneficiary engagement, practical examples, time-bound targets, and sustainability strategies.
The Prevention Pillar has tailored training materials for diverse audiences, including those with low literacy, as evaluated through both English versions and adaptations by partners However, the original materials for duty bearers contain complex legal definitions of abuse from WHO guidelines and are criticized for being visually cluttered and difficult to navigate, featuring small text and minimal imagery In contrast, a proactive NGO partner successfully modified these materials by increasing font size, reducing text density, incorporating more visuals, and utilizing a larger flip-chart, ensuring that participants can easily engage with the content.
Evaluators conducted interviews with various NGOs that utilized the materials, discovering that each organization tailored the content to suit their unique training approaches They shifted the delivery method from traditional lecture-style presentations focused on information dissemination to more interactive, activity-based learning experiences for their beneficiaries.
The acknowledgments section of the children's toolkit highlights the adaptation of materials from the New South Wales Department of School Education's 1997 Child Protection Education curriculum, aimed at enhancing Personal Development, Health, and Physical Education However, inconsistencies in core messaging and quality assurance have led to varied materials and delivery methods Key guidelines for effective training, such as separating boys and girls by age groups (5-8 years, 8-11 years, and 11-18 years), are not consistently implemented by Prevention Pillar staff or NGO partners Evaluators noted that training sessions often combined boys and girls and mixed age groups, primarily due to a limited number of participants and a focus on school grade levels, undermining the importance of the facilitator's guide instructions.
Currently, the community training materials lack the necessary marketability and high-quality conceptualization for effective handover to training partners This shortfall hinders their sustainable dissemination and integration into training programs of NGOs and other organizations.
The Pillar's community training often consisted of one-time sessions with minimal follow-up, resulting in limited ongoing engagement Although the Prevention Pillar claimed that follow-up was conducted, staff from a training partner organization reported only having encountered Prevention officers once.
In Cambodia and Thailand, there is a tendency to expand outreach efforts into non-target areas, diluting the effectiveness of messaging instead of focusing on key hotspot locations to strengthen local capacity for behavior change While Prevention Pillar staff have taken advantage of opportunities for training delivery, this broad approach lacks depth, hindering its overall impact Experienced NGO partners have raised concerns that one-off community workshops are insufficient, emphasizing the need for a more integrated strategy involving ongoing community engagement and dialogue Furthermore, there is a lack of evidence showing that behavior change has been monitored and measured, which could have been achieved through sustained efforts in targeted communities.
Evaluators highlighted that in Cambodia, trainers did not effectively communicate the purpose, process, and procedures of helpline services to the community For instance, a community group expressed uncertainty about the outcomes of children's calls to the helpline, including the information provided and subsequent follow-up Although this misunderstanding was addressed during the evaluation, it underscores the need for consistent, useful, and accurate information to be conveyed to both children and duty bearers regarding helpline services.
Enhancing Reporting and Referral Structures
Protection Pillar
The Protection Pillar has advanced in legal reform, yet the PIDD outcome statement and M&E framework performance indicators may have been overly ambitious given the project's limited timeframe and the typical duration needed for legislative changes.
Legal analysis reports offer detailed and practical recommendations for countries to consider in their legislative reforms However, some suggestions may not be realistic, and there is an overemphasis on cross-border collaboration and legal harmonization among the four Project countries While perpetrators may operate across borders, CSETT is fundamentally a crime confined to national boundaries, making harmonization between neighboring countries unnecessary for effective resolution.
Government counterparts have positively received the reports, leading to a series of workshops across Cambodia, Laos, Viet Nam, and Thailand aimed at sharing insights and garnering support for reform regarding Child Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking (CSETT) These initiatives have enhanced understanding of CSETT and child sexual abuse issues among key stakeholders and elevated the profile of CSETT within justice agencies Notably, Cambodia has begun implementing the reports' recommendations by drafting a Prakas on inter-agency coordination for CSETT cases, while Viet Nam plans to integrate these recommendations into its ongoing reforms of the Penal Code and Penal Procedure Code Laos PDR has formed a committee to explore the best ways to adopt the recommendations, considering either a new decree or incorporation into its planned penal law review Meanwhile, Thailand has sought additional information on grooming offenses but has not yet committed to specific legislative changes.
Legal recommendations vary in complexity, with some being straightforward and others presenting significant drafting challenges, such as defining 'grooming' and child pornography while protecting legitimate family photos Extending protections against sexual abuse to all minors under 18 poses additional complexities, particularly in not criminalizing consensual teenage relationships Implementing these intricate recommendations may require more technical support than currently available, as no additional legal advisory resources are planned Although the Regional Legal Research Group, proposed by the Vietnamese government, aims to foster collaboration among legal experts across four countries, differing legal systems, drafting styles, and shared gaps in expertise regarding grooming and child pornography may hinder effective cross-sharing of solutions.
The Protection Pillar's strategy for enhancing police capacity involves creating high-quality generic training manuals, including a 3-day course for front-line officers and a 5-day course for specialist investigators These manuals are designed to be tailored to the specific needs of each country, and they have been positively received by government counterparts in all four nations, positioning them as valuable global resources for police training.
In July 2013, a Training of Trainers (TOT) session was held for the generic regional manual, involving participants from four countries This initiative received strong support from counterparts, as it fostered a unified understanding of the Criminal and Security Evidence Training Tool (CSETT) across all nations It also facilitated experience sharing among various law enforcement agencies and enabled less experienced countries to benefit from the expertise of those with more advanced skills in these investigations It is anticipated that at least one pilot training activity will be implemented in each country during the remaining project period, potentially engaging around 40 additional participants per nation.
A draft Training Strategy has been developed to contextualize and pilot generic training manuals in each country, led by national working groups, although it remains unfinalized While it hints at a process for institutionalizing training, this strategy is introduced late in the project timeline and should have been established earlier alongside comprehensive training plans for each country Law enforcement representatives have raised concerns regarding the ambiguity surrounding the project's follow-up training plans and the funding allocated for these training initiatives.
The draft Training Strategy emphasizes a "blended training" approach, integrating various methods such as instructor-led sessions, seminars, e-learning, and one-on-one instruction However, the manuals, exceeding 200 pages, are lengthy, dense, and not easily segmented into shorter modules, lacking design for self-directed learning or user-friendly resources like checklists and quick reference guides Concerns have been raised regarding the manuals' complexity and academic language, which may not suit the target audience, particularly frontline officers (FLOs) Additionally, there is significant content overlap with existing training materials on topics like commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) and child-friendly interviewing techniques Despite reviewing these existing materials, the decision was made to develop a new comprehensive manual rather than enhancing the current resources.
Multi-day specialist courses for police capacity building are costly and unlikely to be fully utilized by Project countries beyond initial pilot training due to limited resources and competing priorities Instead, countries are opting to integrate selected parts of the training manuals into existing programs For instance, Thailand has incorporated three hours of CSETT into its superintendents’ course, while Cambodia has added a one-day session on violence against women and children to its gender focal points training Viet Nam plans to include elements of the manual in its Police Academy curriculum, which already addresses CSEC and child-friendly investigations A more effective strategy would have been to create a flexible CSETT training package from the outset, allowing for easier integration into current in-service and recruit training and facilitating collaboration with counterparts to identify relevant training gaps.
A select group of judges and prosecutors from each participating country has received support to engage in ICMEC training However, the creation of CSETT training materials specifically for prosecutors and judges has yet to begin A training needs assessment is scheduled to take place soon.
The lengthy process of creating police training modules since 2013 suggests that significant advancements are unlikely within the project's remaining timeframe Additionally, implementing a standardized regional approach to prosecutorial and judicial training poses challenges due to the distinct legal systems present in the four countries involved.
Limited advancements have been observed in the Operational Component, with INTERPOL advisors assisting national law enforcement agencies based on intelligence received This support aligns with INTERPOL's standard role and the involvement of foreign liaison officers in the region Most reported cases focus on child trafficking rather than CSETT (Child Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking in Children) Despite some ad hoc intelligence sharing and guidance, there is still a lack of support for enhancing CSETT investigative capacity in key hotspot areas.
The PIDD has initiated a mentorship program for law enforcement to enhance proactive CSETT investigations in targeted hotspots This program will be executed in two phases: the first phase focuses on closely mentoring street-level offenders, while the second phase addresses traveling child-sex offenders, utilizing insights from Operation INFRASEA Key components of this initiative include conducting risk and threat assessments, formulating comprehensive operational plans, and providing necessary technical and equipment support.
In early 2013, equipment needs assessments were conducted in one hotspot each in Cambodia and Thailand, along with two in Vietnam Despite this progress, operational plans for proactive investigations remain undeveloped, and there is a lack of clear agreements regarding the nature and type of support needed.
The Vietnam MPS has established comprehensive training modules focused on the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children and Child-Friendly Investigations In Cambodia, police training manuals on child-friendly interview techniques and sexual exploitation have been developed with support from World Vision and UNICEF through the LEASETC and LEAP initiatives Additionally, Thai police have incorporated child-friendly interviewing and child sexual abuse components into their police academy and education bureau training curricula.
Project Activities Remaining
The evaluators are worried about the limited time available to implement essential activities and develop sustainable products, such as campaigns and training materials, for the CSETT initiative The Prevention Pillar has sought a no-cost extension since May 2012, shortly after the Inception Phase PIDD was approved Meanwhile, the Protection Pillar has noted that national officers now have a better grasp of local organizational structures and policies, emphasizing that short exposure periods hinder the understanding of the local context This raises concerns as the Project aims to be effective both nationally and regionally, highlighting the necessity for contextualized materials, laws, and training.
Project Childhood aims to enhance the capacity of government and civil societies in safeguarding the human rights of at-risk children, aligning with AusAID’s goal of effective governance However, it has not yet undertaken comprehensive capacity building for government and stakeholders to enable them to effectively advocate, implement Child Safe Tourism campaigns, or provide community and police training Furthermore, the evaluators raise concerns regarding the effectiveness of the training materials for each Pillar, noting that they have not been adequately customized or contextualized for the specific needs of the country within the project's current timeframe.
Both Pillars are unlikely to implement some activities in the remaining period of the Project The following table (Table 8) presents activities not yet on track for completion by June 2014.
ACTIVITIES NOT YET UNDERTAKEN PRIORITY ACTIVITIES THAT SHOULD BE FINISHED BY
Contextualized roll-out of Prevention community training curriculum;
A tangible community training product to transfer/handover to appropriate stakeholders;
Capacity building of government, NGO, and private partners to sustain training.
Prevention Pillar MOU with the relevant Lao PDR government ministry;
Contextualized roll-out of the Child Safe Tourism campaign;
A tangible Child Safe Tourism product to transfer/handover to appropriate stakeholders;
Ownership of Child Safe Tourism website;
A training plan for each country
Finalisation and institutionalisation of country- specific police training manuals;
Training needs assessment for prosecutors and judges;
Development of CSETT training materials for judges and prosecutors;
Most aspects of the Protection Pillar
The operational component involves identifying a counterpart in Laos, establishing agreements with governmental counterparts regarding the scope and nature of operational support, conducting risk and threat assessments, and developing comprehensive operational plans Additionally, it includes mentoring counterparts through a two-phased approach to proactive investigations.
Finalised training strategy for each country, including agreed plans for how CSETT will be incorporated into police academy and other existing training institutions;
Contextualised training manuals for the police.