Sex trafficking in East Timor is human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation and slavery that occurs in the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste.[1]
East Timorese 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. Children,[2] persons in poverty, and migrants are particularly vulnerable to sex trafficking. Victims are deceived,[2] threatened, and or forced into prostitution.[3] They suffer from physical and psychological trauma[3] and are typically guarded and or locked up in poor conditions. A number contract sexually transmitted diseases from rapes. Traffickers are often members of or facilitated by crime syndicates and gangs.[2]
The government of East Timor has been criticized for its inadequate anti-sex trafficking initiatives. Officials and police have been complicit in sex trafficking.[2]
- ^ "10 FACTS ABOUT HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN TIMOR-LESTE" (PDF). IOM. 2018.
- ^ a b c d "2019 Trafficking in Persons Report: Timor-Leste". U.S. Department of State. 2019.
- ^ a b "Putting a Face on Pain: Innovative Training to Fight Trafficking in Timor Leste". International Organization for Migration. 19 July 2016.