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]
Anti-sex trafficking organizations
YAS Brunei, a Bruneian youth initiative that is a product of Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative, fights sex trafficking in the country.
References
- ↑ "Brunei intensifying efforts to better detect human trafficking cases". Asia News. August 27, 2018.
- 1 2 "2019 Trafficking in Persons Report: Brunei". U.S. Department of State. 2019.
- 1 2 3 4 "Three Thais jailed, face caning for forcing a 17-year-old girl into prostitution in Brunei". The Nation Thailand. April 7, 2016.
- 1 2 3 4 "Society has key role in fighting human trafficking". Borneo Bulletin. August 25, 2018. Archived from the original on August 25, 2018. Retrieved May 1, 2020.