Sex trafficking in Laos

Sex trafficking in Laos is human trafficking for sexual exploitation and slavery that occurs in the Lao People's Democratic Republic. Laos is primarily an origin country for sexually trafficked persons.[1][2]

Sex trafficking victims in the country are from all ethnic groups in Laos and foreigners. Laos citizens, primarily women and girls, have been sex trafficked into other countries in Asia and different continents.[1] They are threatened[3] and forced into prostitution, marriages, and or pregnancies.[4][5] Sex trafficked victims experience physical and psychological trauma.[3] They contract sexually transmitted diseases from rapes,[6] and abuse and malnutrition are prevalent.[6] Some women and girls are tortured and or murdered.[4]

Sex trafficking and exploitation is pervasive throughout all levels of Laos society. Male and female perpetrators in Laos come from diverse backgrounds. A number of traffickers are members of or facilitated by gangs.[4]

The extent of sex trafficking in Laos is unknown because of the lack of data, the concealed nature of sex trafficking crimes, and other factors. Anti-sex trafficking efforts have been hindered by corruption, indifference, border management problems, and more.[7][5]

  1. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference state22 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "LAO PDR UN ACT". UN ACT. Archived from the original on 2018-02-17.
  3. ^ a b "Two teenagers rescued from forced prostitution in Laos". Thanh Nien News. November 4, 2014. Archived from the original on July 29, 2020.
  4. ^ a b c "Trafficking Racket Smashed". Radio Free Asia. October 14, 2010.
  5. ^ a b "Chinese marriage proposals become prostitution nightmares for some Lao girls". Radio Free Asia. February 13, 2017.
  6. ^ a b "Lao girl's escape leads to arrest of sex trafficking suspect". Bangkok Post. 30 July 2019.
  7. ^ "Sex Trafficking Victims Go Unnoticed in Laos". The Diplomat. March 26, 2014.