Police have this week made arrests in three separate cases of alleged child rape, with one of the victims as young as 7.

Korng Nou, 24, was arrested on Monday for allegedly raping an 8-year-old girl in Kandal province and subsequently confessed to raping three other victims, police said yesterday.

Villagers responded to the cries of the girl, who was allegedly attacked by Nou on her way to school.

Cheurn Bunthorn, police chief in Kandal’s Koh Thom district, said the man admitted to raping three other victims in the Prek Sdey commune, but as the assaults had not been reported, police could only investigate the most recent case.

“We regret that we have not received any complaints in the three other cases,” he said.

“The mothers don’t want to reveal this information, as they feel embarrassed and fear they would lose their reputation.”

In neighbouring Kampong Chhnang province, Ouk Chou, 75, was arrested for the repeated rape of a 14-year-old girl.

The victim was allegedly raped several times between December last year and February 12.

Police said Chou threatened to kill the victim if she told her parents and that he gave her money – between 5,000 and 6,000 riel – each time he allegedly raped her.

Meanwhile, in Phnom Penh, Sen Sok district police chief Mok Hong confirmed local media reports that a 31-year-old man had been arrested for the rape of a 7-year-old girl, but would offer no further details.