PHNOM PENH (UCAN) -- Kompong Cham vicariate has been conducting courses on love and relationships to prepare young Cambodians for married life and counter domestic violence.

From research Father Gerald Vogin conducted, the French missioner told UCA News he found "Cambodia has a high rate of domestic violence," including in Catholic families. He said that is why he started the courses in 2006 for young people in Kompong Cham, about 75 kilometers northeast of Phnom Penh.

People in the area marry very young, noted Father Vogin, vicar delegate of Kompong Cham apostolic prefecture. The Paris Foreign Missions priest explained the program is open to all youths regardless of religion.

The courses are conducted twice a year, during school holidays, at the Catholic church in Kompong Cham. They deal mainly with love and relationships, and include pressing issues such as HIV and AIDS. Besides talks and sharing, the sessions incorporate stories and movies. Each course has 25-30 students, who each pay no more than the equivalent of US$3 to attend, and runs for five days.

Assisting Father Vogin, who coordinates the courses, are workers from "Karol and Setha," a Maryknoll missioners' project that educates young people on values and sexuality issues. The project's name is formed from acronyms for "knowledge and reflection on life" and "sexuality through a holistic approach."

Many participants who attended the most recent course told UCA News in late April that they have re-examined their views on love and relationships.

"I was confused about love," said Nueon Sopheak, 24. The university student, who has attended the course several times, explained that while it is easy to fall in love, it is not easy to maintain a relationship of "giving and receiving."

Leng Vannak, 18, admitted his relationships in the past did not last more than several months. "Then I would feel bored," he added. After attending the Church-run course, however, the Buddhist student of Royal University of Phnom Penh said he realized love involves listening to and supporting one another.

Pang Chan Meta, 18, from the same university, said she used to be afraid of getting involved in a relationship for fear of being hurt. After attending the course, the Buddhist student explained, she is more open to the giving and receiving a relationship requires.

Chan Meta also said she is more at ease with the subject of sex, noting that Cambodian women usually do not talk about sex in any circumstance. But in modern society, she reflected, women must dare to talk about it because of the risk of contracting HIV and developing AIDS.

Ro Bora, 26, another participant who has attended several courses, says they have helped him to respect and value women. More specifically, the student of Pannasastra University in Phnom Penh explained, he realized that the body, mind and heart are all interconnected.

Many couples in his home village marry as young as 15 due to pressure from parents, he told UCA News. These young couples do not understand each others' needs, he added, and men often resort to violence to cope with conflict.

Bora also said the courses' presentations on drug addiction and the spread of HIV, the human immunodeficiency virus that usually leads to AIDS, are useful, because local men often have sex with prostitutes.

Father Vogin affirmed that many young people who have gone through the course are now more open to talk and share about themselves. He added that the youths also have requested a program for their parents, who they say often do not allow their children the freedom to make their own decisions.

The next course for youths is scheduled for August.

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