Alcoholism Support Group Helps Reduce Domestic Violence In Siem Reap, Cambodia.

Did you know that the Kaliyan Mith Siem Reap program in Cambodia runs an alcoholism support group? The group piloted in Chong Kneas commune in June 2013 to help reduce the prevalence of domestic violence in this community. The group has had some great results; at the end of the first year, the vast majority of members (and their children!) reported a decrease in violence in their homes. Many members who have stopped drinking have also now been supported with microenterprise startups (especially fishing boats and nets as the community is located right on the Tonle Sap lake) to ensure they have a sustainable income for their future.

In this picture we see FI’s Technical Advisor Coordinator, James Farley, conducting training with staff from Kaliyan Mith’s Chong Kneas and Income Generation teams on how to most effectively run the group to create a welcoming and supportive environment for our 40 group members.

In common with the Friends approach of cross-program replication of successful initiatives, this model will soon be rolled out by the Mith Samlanh program in Phnom Penh.