Domestic abuse has come to be more widely recognized as an extensive social issue
throughout the Western world in the past few decades. Less appreciated, although certainly
acknowledged, is the extent to which domestic violence afflicts poor countries. The research
presented in this study seeks to characterize the experience of domestic violence in Cambodian
communities on the marginally urban outskirts of Siem Reap. Data was gathered through
participant observation and interviews that focused on demographic, socioeconomic, and
personal questions. Out of the eleven women interviewed, four admitted to experiencing
domestic abuse, and one was not asked this question. In addition, over half said that violence was
a problem among other families. The stories of the women are portrayed as narratives to
illustrate their experiences. Overall, the consumption of alcohol by husbands was strongly
associated with violent incidents and most wives readily linked the socioeconomic stress with
their spouse’s propensity to drink. These results are discussed in the context of the Cambodian
social-political climate, the existing literature on domestic violence in Cambodia, the 2005
government Demographic and Health Survey, and the existing legal protections and social
resources for domestic violence victims.