Cambodians' knowledge and attitudes towards the Cambodian post-conflict justice process

Between 1975 and 1979, the Khmer Rouge exterminated nearly one-quarter of the Cambodian population. The Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC), a post-conflict criminal judicial process, was established to address these crimes. Outreach is the set of activities through which Cambodians are informed and engaged in the process. Knowledge and favorable attitude are two elements that could facilitate participation and engagement.;Combining nationwide survey data and a case study of outreach participants, this study aims to define factors associated with Cambodians' knowledge and attitudes towards the ECCC prior to the first public trial.;About two-thirds of the respondents perceived having some knowledge of the ECCC (61%), and were in fact knowledgeable about the court (63%). Four out of five had a favorable attitude towards the ECCC (80%).;Those found to be more knowledgeable of the ECCC were (1) men; (2) older respondents; (3) the more educated; (4) those exposed to violence; (5) those preferring retributive justice; (6) those with some desire for revenge; (7) those with a more negative perception of the national courts; and (8) those with a positive perception of the media. Hearing more frequently about the court increased the degree of knowledge.;Favorable attitude was predictable by age (younger), preference of retributive justice, a more positive perception of the national courts, and of the media. Knowledge was a predictor of favorable attitude. Results for people who lived under the regime were similar to those of the whole sample. There were some distinctions among people who did not experience the regime.;Research findings are congruent with Rogers' diffusion of innovation theory describing a process through which people are likely to gain knowledge of and develop a favorable attitude towards the court. More inquiries are needed to determine associations between environmental factors and outcomes. The results lay the foundation of a conceptual model for internationalized tribunal outreach. Further research in Cambodia and in different post-conflict situations is necessary to confirm the preliminary conceptual model. Implications for ECCC-related outreach and elements for future research are discussed.