Prostitution in Cambodia

Last updated

Prostitution in Cambodia is illegal, but prevalent. A 2008 Cambodian Law on Suppression of Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation [1] has proven controversial, with international concerns regarding human rights abuses resulting from it, such as outlined in the 2010 Human Rights Watch report. [2] [3]

Contents

The comprehensive Law on Suppression of Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation [1] was enacted in 2008. It punishes the trafficking of people, the managing of prostitutes and the maintaining of a brothel, as well as soliciting in public and distributing pornography. The mere act of exchanging sex for money is not outlawed.

The Women’s Network for Unity is a Cambodian sex worker organization which was established in 2000. It lobbies for legal and human rights and better working conditions for sex workers and aims to amend the 2008 law. [4]

In 2016 UNAIDS estimated there to be 34,000 prostitutes in the country, [5] many from Vietnam. [6] [7] [8]

History

Sexual exchange has existed in Cambodia for centuries, but the events of the 20th century created a very unstable situation. During the Khmer Rouge years (1975–1979) prostitution was completely banned and punishable by death resulting in its virtual elimination in a highly totalitarian social system. Under the new State of Cambodia (1979–1993) commercial sex started to re-emerge. [9]

After the dismantlement of the State of Cambodia, about 20,000 male troops and civilian personnel of the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) (1992–1993) arrived in Cambodia together with many NGOs and business interests from abroad, creating a new market for sexual services in a very poor country. UNTAC did little to stem the growth of prostitution in the country. Norodom Sihanouk had many reservations about the whole UNTAC operation, for the massive presence of UN foreign troops led in his eyes to the abuse and dishonor of Cambodian women. [9]

Following UNTAC withdrawal in August 1993, demand was reduced, and a drop in the number of commercial sex establishments and sex workers was apparent. By mid-1994 the numbers started to increase again in a period of political instability. By the mid-1990s police were harassing sex workers, but also owned many of the brothels, which were divided into Vietnamese or Khmer. Workers between 15 and 18 were not uncommon, but some establishments, such as those in Toul Kork and Svay Pak, specialised in providing younger workers. [3] [10]

NGOs became alarmed by the growth of child prostitution along with number of women and children abducted sold for prostitution. By 1995 it appeared that women from some surrounding countries were entering Cambodia. International concern was raised and some raids were carried out including one by the International Justice Mission (2004). This had the effect of displacing the workers. [3] [10]

The number of prostitutes in Cambodia rose from about 6,000 at the time of the 1991 Paris Peace Accords, to over 20,000 after the arrival of UNTAC personnel in 1992, and declined to between 4,000 and 10,000 following their withdrawal. [10] [11] [12]

Child sex tourism

Cambodia has child sex tourism present. [13] [14] [15] [16] Some children are sold by their own parents, others are lured by what they think are legitimate job offers like waitressing. Pimps are reported to imprison young children who are virgins, not putting them to work until they have been presented to a series of bidders such as high-ranking military officers, politicians, businessmen and foreign tourists. Young girls working in brothels are in effect sex slaves. They receive no money, only food, and there are armed guards to stop them from running away. [17]

Children are often held captive, beaten, and starved to force them into prostitution. [15] The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency has extradited American sex tourists back home for prosecution. [18] Vietnamese child prostitutes make up one third of child prostitutes in Cambodia, [19] and Cambodian brothels employ girls and women from Vietnam. [20]

Foreign prostitutes in Cambodia

Russian, Vietnamese, Thai prostitutes also work in Cambodia. Unofficial estimates in 2005 suggest there are as many as 15,000 prostitutes in Phnom Penh, and that up to 35% of them have been smuggled into Cambodia from Vietnam, mostly from the southwestern provinces of Vietnam (Long An, An Giang, Song Be, Kien Giang, Dong Thap, Can Tho and Ho Chi Minh City). Many Vietnanese child prostitutes are enslaved in brothels in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. [21] [22]

Violence against prostitutes

Violence against prostitutes, especially gang rape, called bauk in Cambodian, [23] is common. [24] Perpetrators include customers and police officers. According to some sources, such assaults are not condemned by society due to the stigmatization of prostitutes [25] – a survey on opinions on bauk showed that only 13 percent of the males and 13 percent of the females interviewed considered that sex forced by a group of men on a prostitute was rape. The most common response – 33.4 percent of males and 40.7 percent of females – was that bauk was dangerous because of the potential transmission of sexually transmitted diseases; 12.5 percent of males and 8.1 percent of females said that gang rape against prostitutes didn't hurt anyone because the women were prostitutes and saw many men anyway; while 12.7 percent of males and 16.7 percent of females said it was better that this happened to prostitutes than to other women. [26]

Despite the social stigma cast on prostitutes, paying for sex is very common among men in Cambodia – while Khmer culture demands female virginity, it links masculinity to sexual activity, and as a result, prostitutes are the object of most young men's sexual encounters throughout their youth and early adulthood. [27] Sexual violence against prostitutes was also described in a 2010 Amnesty International report, called Breaking the Silence – Sexual Violence in Cambodia. [28]

Sexual health

Cambodia has a high prevalence of HIV and AIDS, being one of the worst affected countries in Asia. By 1995 there were between 50,000 and 90,000 Cambodians affected by AIDS, according to a WHO estimate. Transmission is mainly through heterosexual contact. Factors contributing to this include poverty, the presence of other STIs which facilitate HIV transmission, and a highly mobile workforce.[ citation needed ] This pattern is also seen in the sex worker population. Improvement has been seen in the last decade[ when? ] with condom promotion. Since 2001, there has been a "100% condom program" in place, which promoted safe sex. [29]

Opposition to sex trade

The U.S. State Department frequently condemns Cambodia for its sex trade, and downgraded their categorisation of the country in 2004. [30] [31] [32] [33]

Somaly Mam has fabricated a number of anti-trafficking stories to attract foreign aid donations. [34] [35] Mam ran the foundation AFESIP, which has been influential in helping the police raid hotels and kidnap their employees. [33] [36] [37]

Some international commentators have noted that the garment industry in Cambodia is abusive, [38] and efforts to remove sex workers from brothels and give them jobs making clothes can backfire if some return to the brothels. [39] [40]

Sex trafficking

Cambodia is a source, transit, and destination country for women and children subjected to sex trafficking. Cambodian adults and children migrate to other countries within the region and increasingly to the Middle East for work; many are subjected sex trafficking. Migrants using irregular migration channels, predominantly with the assistance of unlicensed brokers, are at an increased risk of trafficking, but those using licensed recruiting agents also become victims of sex trafficking. A significant number of women from rural areas are recruited under false pretences to travel to China to enter into marriages with Chinese men, who often incur as much as $20,000 in debt to brokers facilitating the transaction; some of these women are then subjected to forced prostitution as a result of this debt. [41] Women from Cambodia have been trafficked to Malaysia. [42]

All of Cambodia’s 25 provinces are sources for human trafficking. Sex trafficking is largely clandestine; Cambodian and ethnic Vietnamese women and girls move from rural areas to cities and tourist destinations, where they are subjected to sex trafficking in brothels and, more frequently, such “indirect” sex establishments as beer gardens, massage parlors, salons, karaoke bars, retail spaces, and non-commercial sites. Cambodian men form the largest source of demand for children exploited in prostitution; however, men from elsewhere in Asia and Europe, the United States, Australia, and South Africa travel to Cambodia to engage in child sex tourism. [41]

Vietnamese women and children, many of whom are victims of debt bondage, travel to Cambodia and are subjected to sex trafficking. NGOs report criminal gangs transport some Vietnamese victims through Cambodia before they are exploited in Thailand and Malaysia. Traffickers in Cambodia are most commonly family or community members or small networks of independent brokers. Endemic corruption aids and abets trafficking crimes. Some police reportedly solicit commercial sex with children. Corrupt officials facilitate cross-border trafficking, thwart progress on investigations and prosecutions, and in some cases profit directly from establishments suspected of trafficking. [41]

The United States Department of State Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons ranks Cambodia as a 'Tier 2' country. [41]

See also

Regional:

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prostitution in Thailand</span>

Prostitution in Thailand is illegal. However, due to police corruption and an economic reliance on prostitution dating back to the Vietnam War, it remains a significant presence in the country. It results from poverty, low levels of education and a lack of employment in rural areas. Prostitutes mostly come from the northeastern (Isan) region of Thailand, from ethnic minorities or from neighbouring countries, especially Cambodia, Myanmar, and Laos. In 2019, UNAIDS estimated the total population of sex workers in Thailand to be 43,000.

Svay Pak is an urban commune of overseas Vietnamese in Cambodia, north of Phnom Penh. The commune has been renowned as a destination for adult and child prostitution, and while the latter has been cracked down upon, its prevalence as of 2017 was disputed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Somaly Mam</span> Cambodian writer and activist

Somaly Mam is a Cambodian anti-trafficking advocate who focuses primarily on sex trafficking. From 1996 to 2014, Mam was involved in campaigns against sex trafficking. She set up the Somaly Mam Foundation, raised money, appeared on major television programs, and spoke at many international events.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prostitution in India</span> Overview of the legality and practice of prostitution in India

Prostitution is legal in India, but a number of related activities including soliciting, kerb crawling, owning or managing a brothel, prostitution in a hotel, child prostitution, pimping and pandering are illegal. There are, however, many brothels illegally operating in Indian cities including Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Pune, and Nagpur, among others. UNAIDS estimate there were 657,829 prostitutes in the country as of 2016. Other unofficial estimates have calculated India has roughly 400,000 prostitutes. India is widely regarded as having one of the world's largest commercial sex industry. It has emerged as a global hub of sex tourism, attracting sex tourists from wealthy countries. The sex industry in India is a multi-billion dollar one, and one of the fastest growing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prostitution in Asia</span>

The legality of prostitution in Asia varies by country. There is often a significant difference in Asia between prostitution laws and the practice of prostitution. In 2011, the Asian Commission on AIDS estimated there were 10 million sex workers in Asia and 75 million male customers.

Prostitution in Myanmar is illegal, but widespread. Prostitution is a major social issue that particularly affects women and children. UNAIDS estimate there to be 66,000 prostitutes in the country.

Prostitution in Guatemala is legal but procuring is prohibited. There is an offence of “aggravated procuring” where a minor is involved. Keeping a brothel is not prohibited.

Prostitution in South Africa is illegal for both buying and selling sex, as well as related activities such as brothel keeping and pimping. However, it remains widespread. Law enforcement is poor.

Prostitution in Ecuador is legal and regulated, as long as the prostitute is over the age of 18, registered, and works from a licensed brothel. Prostitution is widespread throughout the country. Many brothels and prostitutes operate outside the regulatory system and the regulations have been less strictly enforced in recent years. 25,000 prostitutes were registered in the year 2000. In 2007 it was estimated that 70% of the prostitutes in the country were from Colombia. The country attracts Colombian prostitutes as the currency is the US$ rather than the unstable Colombian peso. UNAIDS estimate there to be 35,000 prostitutes in the country.

Prostitution in Costa Rica is legal. Costa Rica's legal system is based on Roman law rather than common law, and so for prostitution to be illegal it would have to be explicitly stated as such in a penal code, and it is not. Nevertheless, many of the activities surrounding it are illegal, as the law forbids promoting or facilitating the prostitution of another, and therefore pimping, brothels, or prostitution rings are illegal. Prostitution is common and is practiced openly throughout the country, particularly in popular tourism destinations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prostitution in Bangladesh</span> Sex work and its regulation in Bangladesh

Prostitution is legal and regulated in Bangladesh. Prostitutes must register and state an affidavit stating that they are entering prostitution of their own free choice and that they are unable to find any other work. Bangladeshi prostitutes often suffer poor social conditions and are frequently socially degraded.

Prostitution in El Salvador is not prohibited by national law, but may be prohibited by local municipal ordinances. Municipal ordinances may also prohibit the purchase of sexual services. Related activities such as facilitating, promoting or giving incentives to a person to work as a prostitute (pimping) are illegal. The prostitution of children is also illegal. Brothel ownership, however, is legal. There are no specific laws against human trafficking, but any criminal offence that includes ‘commerce in women or children’ requires sentencing to be increased by 30%.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Human trafficking in Cambodia</span>

Cambodia is a source, transit, and destination country for human trafficking. The traffickers are reportedly organized crime syndicates, parents, relatives, friends, intimate partners, and neighbors. Despite human trafficking being a crime in Cambodia, the country has a significant child sex tourism problem; some children are sold by their parents, while others are lured by what they think are legitimate job offers like waitressing, but then are forced into prostitution. Children are often held captive, beaten, and starved to force them into prostitution.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prostitution in Vietnam</span> Overview of Prostitution in Vietnam

Prostitution in Vietnam is illegal and considered a serious crime. Nonetheless, Vietnam's Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA) has estimated that there were 71,936 prostitutes in the country in 2013. Other estimates puts the number at up to 200,000.

Prostitution in Indonesia is legally considered a "crime against decency/morality", although it is widely practiced, tolerated and even regulated in some areas. Some women are financially motivated to become prostitutes, while others may be forced by friends, relatives or strangers. Traditionally, they have met with customers in entertainment venues or special prostitution complexes, or lokalisasi (localization). However, recently internet forums and Facebook have been used to facilitate prostitute-client relations. In recent years, child sex tourism has become an issue at the resort islands of Batam and Bali.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prostitution law</span> Legality of prostitution

Prostitution laws varies widely from country to country, and between jurisdictions within a country. At one extreme, prostitution or sex work is legal in some places and regarded as a profession, while at the other extreme, it is considered a severe crime punishable by death in some other places. A variety of different legal models exist around the world, including total bans, bans that only target the customer, and laws permitting prostitution but prohibiting organized groups, an example being brothels.

Prostitution in Namibia is legal and a highly prevalent common practice. Related activities such as solicitation, procuring and being involved in the running of a brothel are illegal. A World Bank study estimated there were about 11,000 prostitutes in Namibia.

Prostitution in Eritrea is legal and regulated. Official figures state there are around 2,000 prostitutes in the country, who are not allowed to operate near schools, hospitals, and churches. According to the 2009 Human Rights Reports, security forces occasionally follow women engaged in prostitution and arrest those who had spent the night with a foreigner. Some women enter prostitution due to poverty. Prostitutes are known locally as "shermuta" in Arabic, or "mnzerma" and "me'amn" in Tigrinya.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prostitution in Laos</span> Overview of the legality and practice of prostitution in Laos

Prostitution in Laos is regarded as a criminal activity and can be subject to severe prosecution. It is much less common than in neighbouring Thailand. Soliciting for prostitution takes place mainly in the city's bars and clubs, although street prostitution also takes place. The visibility of prostitution in Laos belies the practice's illegality. As of 2016, UNAIDS estimates there to be 13,400 prostitutes in the country.

Sex trafficking in China is human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation and slavery that occurs in the People's Republic of China. It is a country of origin, destination, and transit for sexually trafficked persons.

References

  1. 1 2 "Law on Suppression of Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation". Scribd. 15 February 2008.
  2. ↑ "Cambodia: Sex Workers Face Unlawful Arrests and Detention". Human Rights Watch. 21 July 2010. Archived from the original on 4 July 2011. Retrieved 29 April 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 Off the Streets: Arbitrary Detention and Other Abuses against Sex Workers in Cambodia (PDF). Human Rights Watch (Report). July 2010.
  4. ↑ Paula Stromberg (4 March 2012). "Sex work in Cambodia". DailyXtra.
  5. ↑ "Sex workers: Population size estimate - Number, 2016". www.aidsinfoonline.org. UNAIDS. Archived from the original on 4 April 2019. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
  6. ↑ Vu, J.B. (3 November 2010). "Thousands of Vietnamese women and children sold as "sex slaves"". AsiaNews.
  7. ↑ "Human Trafficking & Modern-day Slavery Socialist Republic of Vietnam". Human Trafficking, Modern-day Slavery, Forced Labor & Debt... GVnet.
  8. ↑ Nguyen Dinh Thang; Vu Quoc Dung; Pastor Truong Tri Hien; Nguyen Cao Quyen; Nguyen Quoc Khai; Ngo Thi Hie (May 2008). Vietnam Country Report Background Information and Recommendations (PDF) (Report). Vietnam Study Group. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 September 2011.
  9. 1 2 Milton Osborne, Sihanouk, Prince of Light, Prince of Darkness. Silkworm 1994
  10. 1 2 3 "CAMBODIA: prostitution and sex trafficking: a growing threat to the human rights of women and children in Cambodia". Human Rights Solidarity (Vol. 12). 6 (4). 4 November 1996. Archived from the original on 18 September 2008.
  11. ↑ Soizick Crochet, Le Cambodge, Karthala, Paris 1997, ISBN   2-86537-722-9
  12. ↑ Ditmore, Melissa Hope (2006). Encyclopedia of Prostitution and Sex Work. Greenwood Press. ISBN   9780313329708 – via google.ca.
  13. ↑ Gittings, John (16 November 2000). "The tragic tale of the Cambodian child prostitutes". Guardian. London. Retrieved 1 March 2008.
  14. ↑ Harding, Andrew (11 June 2005). "Trapping Cambodia's sex tourists". BBC. Retrieved 1 March 2008.
  15. 1 2 "Dateline goes undercover with a human rights group to expose sex trafficking in Cambodia". NBC News. Retrieved 1 March 2008.
  16. ↑ "Cambodia gets tough on child sex trade". The Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved 1 March 2008.
  17. ↑ "Asian Child Rights". Asian Human Rights Commission. Archived from the original on 30 March 2010. Retrieved 18 May 2010.
  18. ↑ "The US agents tracking down sex tourists in Cambodia". BBC News. 30 January 2011.
  19. ↑ Busuttil, Fanny (15 March 2012). "Children of Viet Nam". Humanium.
  20. ↑ "Trafficking of Vietnamese Women Expands Across Region". Bangkok: Reuters. 18 May 2016.
  21. ↑ "Inside k11, Phnom Penh's notorious child brothel". nypress. 11 November 2014.
  22. ↑ Hume, Tim; Cohen, Lisa; Sorvino, Mira. "The women who sold their daughters into sex slavery". Phnom Penh, Cambodia. CNN.
  23. ↑ Wood, Richard; Sam, Rith (30 July 2004). "Study looks at 'bauk' - gang-rape of prostitutes". Phnom Penh Post. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  24. ↑ Aglionby, John (26 July 2003). "Sex workers helpless as young men 'bond' in gang rape outings". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  25. ↑ Ditmore, Melissa Hope (11 March 2014). ""Caught Between the Tiger and the Crocodile": Cambodian Sex Workers' Experiences of Structural and Physical Violence". Studies in Gender and Sexuality. 15: 22–31. doi:10.1080/15240657.2014.877726. S2CID   144716733.
  26. ↑ "Gang Rape Has Become the Sport of the Young generation". Archived from the original on 2 March 2011. Retrieved 16 February 2011.
  27. ↑ Hoenig, Henry (26 October 2003). "France cracking the whip on sex / Liberated nation turns moralistic". The San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011.
  28. ↑ "Document" . Retrieved 31 December 2010.
  29. ↑ Couture, Marie-Claude; Sansothy, Neth; Sapphon, Vonthanak; Phal, Serey; Sichan, Keo; Stein, Ellen; Evans, Jennifer; Maher, Lisa; Kaldor, John; Vun, Mean Chhi; Page, Kimberly (January 2011). "Couture et al. Young women engaged in sex work in Phnom Penh, HIV, STI, stimulants. Challenges to HIV prevention and risk. STD 2011". Sexually Transmitted Diseases. 38 (1): 33–9. doi:10.1097/OLQ.0b013e3182000e47. PMC   3729941 . PMID   21085056.
  30. ↑ "CNN.com - U.S. raps Cambodia over sex trade". CNN. 14 December 2004.
  31. ↑ "Cambodian Girls Driven to Prostitution". Radio Free Asia.
  32. ↑ "Cambodia". U.S. Department of State.
  33. 1 2 Willem van Schendel; Lenore Lyons; Michele Ford (2012). Labour Migration and Human Trafficking in Southeast Asia: Critical Perspectives. Routledge. ISBN   978-0-415-66563-6.
  34. ↑ Daniel Pye. "US was on to Somaly Mam". The Phnom Penh Post.
  35. ↑ "Officials Hand Donations to Somaly Mam's NGO". The Cambodia Daily. 31 December 2014. Archived from the original on 13 December 2018. Retrieved 10 November 2015.
  36. ↑ Larissa Sandy (27 August 2014). Women and Sex Work in Cambodia: Blood, Sweat and Tears. Routledge. ISBN   978-1-317-64930-4.
  37. ↑ Adam Taylor (29 May 2014). "Why would Somaly Mam quit her own sex-trafficking foundation?". Washington Post.
  38. ↑ "Is buying sex a better way to help Cambodian women than buying a T-shirt?". Slate Magazine. 19 May 2011.
  39. ↑ "The High Cost of Cheap Clothes". VICE. 17 October 2014.
  40. ↑ "The Walkabout Is Cambodia's Sleaziest Bar". Vice. 25 December 2014. There are the geriatric sex tourists in white socks and sandals whose rheumy eyes go laser sharp when they hone in[ sic ] on the desperate, teenage hookers whose only other option is working in a sweatshop for $2.50 a day.
  41. 1 2 3 4 "Cambodia 2018 Trafficking in Persons Report". U.S. Department of State. Archived from the original on 26 July 2018. Retrieved 26 July 2018.PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
  42. ↑ Kongkea, Buth Reaksmey (19 January 2022). "Human trafficker denies selling Cambodian women to brothels in Malaysia". Khmer Times.

Further reading

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.