AKP Phnom Penh, October 24, 2025 -- A new exhibition examining the long-suppressed history of sexual violence under the Khmer Rouge regime was inaugurated on Oct. 22, by Cambodia’s Minister of Women’s Affairs, H.E. Dr. Ing Kantha Phavi.

Titled “Consent Denied: Reflecting on the Legacy of Forced Marriage and Sexual Violence,” the exhibition at the Resource Centre of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) aims to educate the public and honour victims. Its primary focus is on sexual and gender-based crimes, which were formally acknowledged as part of the regime's atrocities only through the recent UN-backed tribunal proceedings.

Organisers stated the exhibition is intended to break the silence surrounding this aspect of the Khmer Rouge era. They hope it will foster intergenerational dialogue between survivors and youth, while also reinforcing efforts to prevent future extremism and societal violence.

In her keynote address, Minister Ing Kantha Phavi connected the historical themes of the exhibition to the ministry's ongoing work. She outlined current initiatives, such as the Safe Community Programme for gender-based violence victims and digital learning platforms, which are designed to prevent abuse, improve response mechanisms, and secure justice for victims across the country.

The exhibition serves as a critical platform for Cambodia’s continued reckoning with its past, ensuring that the pursuit of truth and justice for the victims of the Khmer Rouge remains part of the national consciousness.

By K. Rithy Reak