Sex trafficking in Singapore is human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation and slavery that occurs in the Republic of Singapore. Singapore is primarily a destination country for sexually trafficked persons.
Sex trafficking victims in the country are from all ethnic groups in Singapore and foreigners. [1] Singaporean citizens and foreigners, primarily women and girls, have been deceived, [2] [3] [4] [1] threatened, [4] and forced into prostitution [3] [5] [6] and unfree labour. [3] They are often forced to wear revealing clothing and high heels. [2] Many come from poverty and have little education. [3] [5] Perpetrators confiscate their passports [4] and other documents [1] and guard or lock-up the women and girls. [3] Some force them to sign phony contracts in a foreign language they cannot read. [3] Sex trafficked victims experience physical and psychological trauma. [2] [5] Abuse is prevalent [4] [5] and they contract sexually transmitted diseases from rapes without condoms. [1] Malnutrition and food deprivation also occur. [1] A number have depression [4] and suicidal thoughts because of the trauma. [6] Some are coerced to become sex traffickers themselves. [5]
Sex trafficking and exploitation is not as big of a problem as it was back in the 1970s and 1980s, but it manifests in various forms throughout Singaporean society. Male and female perpetrators in Singapore come from diverse backgrounds. A number of traffickers are members of or facilitated by criminal syndicates and gangs. [7] [5] Perpetrators are increasingly using websites and messaging apps to lure victims. [3]
The government of Singapore has been criticised for not having adequate victim protection efforts. [1]
Hagar International carries out anti-sex trafficking efforts in Singapore. [6]
Sex trafficking in Singapore is human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation and slavery that occurs in the Republic of Singapore. Singapore is primarily a destination country for sexually trafficked persons.
Sex trafficking victims in the country are from all ethnic groups in Singapore and foreigners. [1] Singaporean citizens and foreigners, primarily women and girls, have been deceived, [2] [3] [4] [1] threatened, [4] and forced into prostitution [3] [5] [6] and unfree labour. [3] They are often forced to wear revealing clothing and high heels. [2] Many come from poverty and have little education. [3] [5] Perpetrators confiscate their passports [4] and other documents [1] and guard or lock-up the women and girls. [3] Some force them to sign phony contracts in a foreign language they cannot read. [3] Sex trafficked victims experience physical and psychological trauma. [2] [5] Abuse is prevalent [4] [5] and they contract sexually transmitted diseases from rapes without condoms. [1] Malnutrition and food deprivation also occur. [1] A number have depression [4] and suicidal thoughts because of the trauma. [6] Some are coerced to become sex traffickers themselves. [5]
Sex trafficking and exploitation is not as big of a problem as it was back in the 1970s and 1980s, but it manifests in various forms throughout Singaporean society. Male and female perpetrators in Singapore come from diverse backgrounds. A number of traffickers are members of or facilitated by criminal syndicates and gangs. [7] [5] Perpetrators are increasingly using websites and messaging apps to lure victims. [3]
The government of Singapore has been criticised for not having adequate victim protection efforts. [1]
Hagar International carries out anti-sex trafficking efforts in Singapore. [6]