Acid attacks in Cambodia are on the rise. Lawmakers are looking into toughening up laws as the aggressions leave lifelong physical and emotional scars.

Chim Sarun bears constant reminders of his ex-girlfriend's wrath.

She threw liquid acid on him, burning his skin and leaving him with horrifying scars, lifelong agony and psychological trauma.

Chim is at the Cambodia Acid Survivor's Charity (SASC) in Kandal province.

The rehabilitation facility is the only one in Cambodia dedicated to reconstructing lives that have been destroyed by acid attacks, which are on the rise here.

Residents at the facility receive medical care, physiotherapy and counselling, and perhaps most important of all, the support of others
suffering the same terrible fate.

The Cambodian government is looking to implement stricter laws and punishments for those who use acid as their weapon of choice.

They are examining laws in other countries like India, Bangladesh and Pakistan where acid attacks are also common, and where acid attackers can face life in prison, or even capital punishment for their crimes.

According to the Cambodian Police, 40 cases of acid attacks were reported in 2008, and there have been 6 cases reported so far this year.

Mu Sochua is a member of parliament for the opposition party, and former Women's Minister.

She says the government needs to do something to curb the spread of such attacks.

[Mu Sochua, Former Women's Minister]:
"We very much welcome the initiative of the government. This draft law is necessary and it is overdue. The situation of our women and our children, our people who are facing, who are the victims of acid attack. It's a situation that needs immediate response and measures from the government to prevent this kind of crimes from spreading."

Officials are also planning to place harsher restrictions on acid sellers in an attempt to curb the rise in attacks.