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Published on July 24, 2007

"Most abusers are the victim's own family members or teachers," Natthawoot Buapra-thum said, quoting the findings of a survey.

Natthawoot works for the Centre for the Protection of Children's Rights Foundation.

He said victims were often found in Buri Ram and Roi Et, where the foundation was working to help them.

He said it was difficult to reach all victims because of the foundation's limited resources, as well as the influence of certain individuals in each area.

Natthawoot was speaking at a seminar on human-resource development and the protection of children.

Khon Kaen Deputy Gover-nor Sunthorn Siripak said children from birth to the age of 18 years had to be protected.

"We should work seriously to enforce the laws and to protect the children," he said.

Khon Kaen University lecturer Dr Sriruang Pairotekul said sexual abuse of children was one of the country's main problems. In Khon Kaen alone, up to 106 children were sexually violated last year.

"Stepfathers, uncles and even biological fathers are among the abusers," Sriruang said.

She said child abandonment was also common in the Northeast, as parents usually migrated to Bangkok for work and left their children behind.

The Nation

Khon Kaen