The mentioning of Cambodia brings to mind all sorts of images, ideas, and names. For some, the remembrance of the Khmer Rouge comes to mind, a Communist group in the late 1970s that had control of the country. Although there are a few different numbers that have been suggested, it is understood that out of a population of 7 million, 2.5 million people died during the Khmer Rouge due to mass killings, murder, and several diseases.

Nevertheless, for others it brings to mind a nation with a vast culture and diverse peoples. Angkor Wat, one of the greatest and most meticulously built temples in the world, lies at the heart of the nation, the city of Siem Reap. It may also lead some to think of the northern jungles of Cambodia, or that Cambodia borders Vietnam, which is a country the U.S. once fought a war with in recent history. Whatever it is that comes to mind, Cambodia is a very unique place with delicious foods and hospitable people.

But for the few who have had the opportunity to travel to the far off land, Svay Pak is a name that often comes to the forefront. Svay Pak is a village that is located 11 kilometers outside of the capital city, Phnom Penh. It is a community comprised of not only Cambodian people, but also Vietnamese people that have settled in Cambodia over the last few decades. When you drive up to the heart of its community, you are driving over dirt roads that are filled with potholes and sloshes of mud during rainy season. If you look to your left, you will see a coffee shop, while the right hand side will be full of kids playing hopscotch or some other traditional Cambodian game. It is a wonderful site to see nonetheless, but there is also an evil that has infiltrated this small community: child sex tourism.

Svay Pak has been the center of child sex tourism for the last two decades and is well known throughout the world by pedophiles. It is visited daily by men from all over the world who desire to rape children. It is rampant, and parents are even selling their children to willing customers. It is a struggle to come to this reality as you have beautiful little girls and boys who come up to you and give you the biggest hug you have ever seen with a smile from ear to ear. The children crave love and take as much as they can from those who are willing to give them the love of Christ. Along with the big hugs and the cheerful gestures, you can see the hurt and the pain that dwells within these children. It is a grave sight to see children, who should be going to school and playing games with other children, sold as meat to those who are bold enough to prey on them.

The population is about 5000 people (about 2000 families). It is a mix of different people, consisting of mostly Vietnamese, but  Cambodians and Cham (Muslim) also inhabit the community. Svay Pak is infamous for being the worst place in Cambodia as far as sex trafficking underage girls, and one of the worst, if not “the worst” place in the world concerning sex trafficking. Girls as young as 4 years old are sold, raped, and abused on a regular basis. People come from all over the world to take part in this repulsive business, and are brought to this small community to buy young girls for a couple of days. New, young girls are brought and held in the community each week until a buyer comes. Svay Pak has sadly becomes a pedophiles paradise.