Prostitution in East Timor

Prostitution in East Timor is legal,[1] but soliciting and third party involvement for profit or to facilitate prostitution is forbidden.[2] Prostitution has become a problem since the country gained independence from Indonesia in 2002,[3] especially in the capital, Dili.[4] There are estimated to be 1,688 sex workers in the country.[5]

Law enforcement is weak,[2] but there are occasional clampdowns.[4][6] Foreign sex workers are usually targeted, and are often deported.[2][7] Public order laws are also used against prostitutes.[2]

Many of the local prostitutes have entered the sex trade due to poverty and lack of other employment.[8] Foreign prostitutes, especially from Indonesia, China and the Philippines, enter the country on 90-day tourists visas.[8]

Sex trafficking[7] and Child prostitution are problems in the country.[9]

  1. ^ "The Legal Status of Prostitution by Country". ChartsBin.
  2. ^ a b c d "Sex Work Law - Countries". Sexuality, Poverty and Law. Retrieved 22 January 2018.
  3. ^ "UN under fire for turning a blind eye to peacekeepers' misconduct". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
  4. ^ a b Cruz, Joana da (24 January 2017). "Taibesi Market Prostitution Operation Uncovered". Jornal Independente - English Portal News (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 22 January 2018.
  5. ^ "Sex workers: Population size estimate - Number, 2016". www.aidsinfoonline.org. UNAIDS. Archived from the original on 4 June 2019. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
  6. ^ "Foreigners arrested in E Timor prostitution swoop". ABC News. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
  7. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference state17 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ a b "Prostitution in Dili, East Timor". East Timor Law and Justice Bulletin. 11 July 2009. Retrieved 22 January 2018.
  9. ^ Smith, Camden (9 January 2004). "Surge in child sex tours". Northern Territory News (Australia). Retrieved 22 January 2018.