Acid attacks are a pre-meditated form of violence that leaves survivors physically, socially and emotionally scarred. The Cambodian Acid Survivors Charity (CASC) is the only organization in Cambodia working with survivors of acid attacks using a holistic approach, offering non-judgmental assistance to survivors irrespective of their role in an injury. We work on several different levels to support and empower acid burn survivors, as well as towards the elimination of acid violence altogether. All services are free of charge.  

CASC was formed in March 2006 by its partner organization, the Children’s Surgical Center (CSC). The Children’s Surgical Center is one of few health care facilities in Cambodia providing quality care to acid burn patients. However, as CSC performs a wide range of complex surgeries, their ability to meet the needs of survivors of acid attacks that extend beyond medical treatment is limited. Consequently, CSC committed itself to creating an organization that could address the long-term physical, emotional, social and economic needs of survivors of acid attacks. CSC hoped to provide holistic care to survivors of acid attacks in a secure, compassionate and non-judgmental environment. Through the establishment of CASC, this vision has been realised.  

The services provided by CASC are vital as the required medical treatment tends to be expensive and complex, and the social stigma surrounding attacks can leave survivors isolated, abandoned and shunned by their family members, communities and service providers. CASC also extends its services to victims of accidental acid burns, and aims to improve safety standards to reduce such incidents. 

CASC services include:

1. Surgical, medical, and psychological treatment
2. Vocational training and social reintegration projects
3. Legal assistance and advocacy for legal reform
4. Awareness raising, research, education and advocacy to eliminate acid violence altogether

The four petals in the CASC logo reflect the different aspects of CASC’s work.

Since 1999, the Childrens Surgical Center and CASC have provided acute burn treatment and surgery to a total of 190 acid burn survivors. Of these, 56% were women, and 17% were children. More than 8% were blinded and 6 acid victims died.