Sex trafficking in Singapore is human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation and slavery that occurs in the Republic of Singapore. Singapore is primarily a destination country for sexually trafficked persons.
Trafficking process and victims
Sex trafficking victims in the country are from all ethnic groups in Singapore and foreigners. [1] Singaporean citizens and foreigners, primarily women and girls, have been deceived, [2] [3] [4] [1] threatened, [4] and forced into prostitution [3] [5] [6] and unfree labour. [3] They are often forced to wear revealing clothing and high heels. [2] Many come from poverty and have little education. [3] [5] Perpetrators confiscate their passports [4] and other documents [1] and guard or lock-up the women and girls. [3] Some force them to sign phony contracts in a foreign language they cannot read. [3] Sex trafficked victims experience physical and psychological trauma. [2] [5] Abuse is prevalent [4] [5] and they contract sexually transmitted diseases from rapes without condoms. [1] Malnutrition and food deprivation also occur. [1] A number have depression [4] and suicidal thoughts because of the trauma. [6] Some are coerced to become sex traffickers themselves. [5]
Extent
Sex trafficking and exploitation is not as big of a problem as it was back in the 1970s and 1980s, but it manifests in various forms throughout Singaporean society. Male and female perpetrators in Singapore come from diverse backgrounds. A number of traffickers are members of or facilitated by criminal syndicates and gangs. [7] [5] Perpetrators are increasingly using websites and messaging apps to lure victims. [3]
Responses
The government of Singapore has been criticised for not having adequate victim protection efforts. [1]
Hagar International carries out anti-sex trafficking efforts in Singapore. [6]
References
- ^ a b c d e f "Study sheds light on sex trafficking in Singapore". Straits Times. February 10, 2014.
- ^ a b c "How a 14-year-old girl was trafficked to Singapore and locked up". Asia One. 2017.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Couple who ran Boat Quay nightclubs gets jail, fine in Singapore's first labour trafficking sentencing". cna. February 11, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e "'She had lost all reason to live': Undoing the horrors of being trafficked to Singapore and seeking justice". cna. February 15, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f "Sex trafficking in Singapore: How changes to the law may protect women duped into prostitution". CNA. November 10, 2019.
- ^ a b c "Former sex trafficking victim recounts harrowing experience in Singapore". Yahoo News. March 8, 2017.
- ^ "Chinese women 'tricked into Singapore sex trade by WeChat prostitution ring'". South China Morning Post. December 4, 2018.
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