Prostitution in Antigua and Barbuda

Prostitution in Antigua and Barbuda is legal[1] and common.[2] Related activities such as brothel keeping and solicitation are prohibited.[1] UNAIDS estimate there to be 755 prostitutes on the islands,[3] the majority are migrants from other Caribbean countries. They tend to move around the Caribbean, never staying in one territory for long.[4] In 2011, prostitution was on the rise due to poor economic conditions.[5]

In the capital, St. John's, there is a red-light district in Popeshead Street.[6] The most famous brothel in the street was Wendy's. It had operated for a number of years and was a household name on the island.[7] In 2016 the owners were charged with trafficking.[8] A 'rescue mission' raided the establishment in 2018, looking for trafficking victims. The nearby 'Jam Dung' was also raided.[9]

The NGO, 'Health, Hope and HIV Network', offers counselling and testing for HIV and other STIs to sex workers. Their motto is 'Creating Positive Change' and the organisation receives government funding.

  1. ^ a b "Sex Work Law - Countries". Sexuality, Poverty and Law. Retrieved 19 March 2018.
  2. ^ Bique, Shermain (4 August 2016). "Red Cross head says thriving prostitution climate in Antigua". Antigua Observer Newspaper. Retrieved 19 March 2018.
  3. ^ "Sex workers: Population size estimate - Number, 2016". www.aidsinfoonline.org. UNAIDS. Archived from the original on 4 April 2019. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference cedaw was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ "ANTIGUA: Sex trade on the rise". Dominica News Online. 26 March 2011. Retrieved 19 March 2018.
  6. ^ Henry, Brenton (6 June 2013). "MALE SEX WORKERS: A glimpse into their thriving, secret trade". Antigua Observer Newspaper. Retrieved 19 March 2018.
  7. ^ Beale, Christopher (2008). Antigua and Barbuda: Island Guide. Other Places Publishing. ISBN 9780615218373.
  8. ^ "Wendy's Night Club Owners Charged with Human Trafficking". Antigua Chronicle. 19 February 2016. Retrieved 19 March 2018.
  9. ^ "Authorities "rescue" strippers from local nightclubs". Antigua News Room. 10 February 2018. Retrieved 20 March 2018.