Issue Paper: Worldwide Systems of Prostitution

Globally, the sex industries include international trafficking, sex tourism, and various forms of commercial sexual exploitation within local economies. International patterns of commercial sexual exploitation involve predatory relationships between wealthier nations and children and women within economically vulnerable or “third world” countries. The international market for commercial sexual exploitation relies primarily on the abuse of children.

The United Nations (2003) estimates approximately four million people are trafficked each year. This figure is only inclusive of international trafficking—it does not include domestic trafficking or localized systems of prostitution. According to the UNESCO Trafficking Statistics Project (2003) and The Protection Project, two million are children used in child prostitution. A disproportionate number of child trafficking victims—100,000 each year—are trafficked into Thailand (Source: Tides Foundation.)

Child trafficking and sexual exploitation is part of a broader pattern of child exploitation including the use of child soldiers and children in domestic and factory labor. The International Labour Office (2000) states that several million children are trafficked into child prostitution each year and estimates between fifty and sixty million children are abused and exploited each year through some form of commercial exploitation.

Statistics on domestic sexual exploitation of children (including domestic trafficking) within nations vary, including:

• 2,800,000 in Thailand (UNESCO)
• 200,000-500,000 in China (Source: UNICEF)
• 200,000 in Nepal (Source: UNESCO)
• 43,000 in Indonesia (Source: UNICEF)

Reasons for involvement in systems of prostitution can mostly be attributed to any or all of the following factors: violence or coercion, economic desperation or vulnerability, or trafficking. In one study of individuals in prostitution in South Africa, Turkey, Thailand, Zambia, and the U.S., it was found that:

• 92% expressed wanting to leave prostitution immediately
• 62% reported being raped in prostitution
• 72% were currently or formerly homeless
• 67% met the criterion for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder