Survivor stories
Deb Da, Cambodia
Since his father died, Deb Da has been living with his mother and younger brother. In order to earn a small income, Deb Da’s mother and Deb Da helped their neighbour Mr. Som on his rice plantation. Mr. Som’s Ex-wife viewed this with jealousy and with the help of two men, she decided to punish Deb Da’s mother by throwing acid on her in 2002.
Deb Da’s mother was attacked with three liters of acid, thrown over her and poured into her mouth. This attack resulted in such horrible injuries, that Deb Da’s mother died no later than 15 minutes after the attack.
Deb Da himself also suffered from burns caused by acid splashed onto his face. His aunt and neighbours took salt water and water to pour on to him. In the morning, they sent him to the district hospital which referred him to the provincial hospital. There, the doctor merely gave him dressings before sending him to a children’s hospital where he received treatment for 3 months.
A while later, the organisation World Vision visited him and picked him and his young brother up to stay at their centre at Phnom Penh.They provided him and his brother with all necessary supplies as well as school fees. In May 2008, World Vision contacted CASC regarding Deb Da. Subsequently, Deb Da was admitted to CASC for medical treatment (a contracture release).
Deb Da is lucky as with only 20 years he is still young and although he hasn’t finished high school yet he can do that through CASC’s support and then hopefully eventually get a decent job.
Mrs. Hom, the main perpetrator, was arrested and the principle court sentenced her to 18 years in prison. Of her two male assistants to the attack, Mr. Put was sentenced to 3 years in prison while Mr Seap was unfortunately able to escape.
