50 Years On: Cambodian Survivors Reflect on Khmer Rouge Horrors and Australian Sanctuary
It has been 50 years since the Khmer Rouge regime, under Pol Pot, seized power in Cambodia, leaving lasting scars on millions. More than two million Cambodians are believed to have perished through executions, starvation, torture, and forced labor between 1975 and 1979. For survivors, rebuilding life meant fleeing unimaginable horrors and finding refuge elsewhere, including in Australia.
Fleeing Atrocities, Finding Safety
Among those who fled were Seda Douglas and her mother, Touch Liv. The two escaped Cambodia in 1983, after losing five family members and a father to the brutality of the regime. Douglas reflects, “They said if you want to survive, you must leave the village, your family is not safe.” The trauma of those years remains vivid as they mark their survival and the sanctuary found in their new home.
A New Beginning in Australia
The Khmer Rouge’s reign of terror decimated families and communities. Phiny Ung and her husband fled in 1980, bringing their daughter to safety in Australia. She later sponsored her mother and siblings, finally reuniting part of her family. Ung shares, “When I arrived, I just felt safe and free… I don’t feel under threat… I am treated as human.” This sentiment is echoed by many Cambodians who rebuilt their lives in a country that offered hope.
From Refugees to Community Pillars
Australia welcomed several thousand Cambodian refugees between the late 1970s and mid-1980s. Today, over 39,000 Cambodian-born people call Australia home, contributing richly to the nation’s multicultural identity. The journey of survival and integration remains a source of resilience and inspiration.
Keeping the Connection Alive Through SBS Khmer
The role of SBS Khmer, which began broadcasting in 1979, has been vital for the Cambodian community. The program connected people with news from Australia and updates from Cambodia. Douglas, who worked with SBS Khmer, recalls, “We left the country by force, not by choice… we needed to know what was happening back home.” The broadcaster became a bridge between past and present, home and refuge.
Art and Memory as Testaments
Through artwork and memories, survivors honor those lost. Drawings by Bun Heang, Ung’s late husband, capture the pain and endurance of that era. Created with scraps of color during their struggle, these images are emotional time capsules, preserving history for future generations.
Honoring Loss and Celebrating Survival
Fifty years on, the Khmer Rouge tragedy serves as a reminder of human resilience and the importance of sanctuary. The Cambodian-Australian community continues to commemorate their journey of loss, survival, and the freedom they found on Australian soil.
