Sex trafficking in Brunei is human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation and slavery that occurs in the country. [1]
Brunei citizens, primarily women and girls, have been sex trafficked within the country and to other countries in Asia. Foreign victims are sex trafficked into the country. [2] [3] [4] Children, [3] persons in poverty, and migrants are particularly vulnerable to sex trafficking. Victims are deceived, [4] threatened, [4] and or forced into prostitution. They suffer physical and psychological trauma and are typically guarded and/or locked up in poor conditions. A number contract sexually transmitted diseases from rapes. Victims’ family members are also threatened [4] so that the authorities are not alerted.
Male and female traffickers in Brunei come from all social and economic classes. [3] Traffickers are often members of or facilitated by crime syndicates and gangs. Some perpetrators are the victims’ family members. [3]
The government of Brunei has been criticized for its inadequate anti-sex trafficking initiatives. Some officials have been complicit in sex trafficking. [2]
YAS Brunei, a Bruneian youth initiative that is a product of Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative, fights sex trafficking in the country.