Acid attacks are a pre-meditated form of violence that leaves survivors physically, socially and emotionally scarred. CASC was formed in March 2006 by its partner organization, the Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC). CSC is one of few health care facilities in Cambodia providing free medical care to acid burn patients. Because CSC is a centre for general rehabilitative surgery, their ability to meet the needs of survivors of acid attacks, beyond immediate medical treatment, is limited. The social stigma surrounding attacks often leaves survivors feeling isolated, abandoned and shunned by family members, communities and service providers. Consequently, CSC made a commitment to create an organization to address the long-term physical, emotional, social and economic needs of survivors of acid attacks. CSC provides holistic care to survivors of acid attacks in a secure, compassionate and non-judgmental environment.

Cambodian Acid Survivors Charity (CASC) is the only organization in Cambodia working with survivors of acid attacks using a holistic approach. CASC works on several different levels. For acid burn survivors CASC provides extensive support and skills training. To limit accidental acid burns CASC promotes education and awareness in safe handling and storage of acid. At a national level CASC works to eradicate acid violence by encouraging the establishment of strict regulations to limit acid availability and by encouraging the enactment of legislation which would classify acid violence as a public, criminal offence.

The four petals in the CASC logo reflect the charity’s main areas of focus:

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

Since 1999 CSC and CASC have provided acute burn surgery, treatment and supportive services to a total of 256 acid burn survivors on the CASC register.