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.

Trafficking process and victims

Sex trafficking victims in the country are from all ethnic groups in Singapore and foreigners. Singaporean citizens and foreigners, primarily women and girls, have been deceived, threatened, and forced into prostitution and

unfree labour Forced labour, or unfree labour, is any work relation, especially in modern or early modern history, in which people are employed against their will with the threat of destitution, detention, violence including death, or other forms of ex ...

. They are often forced to wear revealing clothing and high heels. Many come from poverty and have little education. Perpetrators confiscate their passports and other documents and guard or lock-up the women and girls. Some force them to sign phony contracts in a foreign language they cannot read. Sex trafficked victims experience physical and psychological trauma. Abuse is prevalent and they contract

sexually transmitted diseases Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), also referred to as sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and the older term venereal diseases, are infections that are spread by sexual activity, especially vaginal intercourse, anal sex, and oral ...

from rapes without condoms.

Malnutrition Malnutrition occurs when an organism gets too few or too many nutrients, resulting in health problems. Specifically, it is "a deficiency, excess, or imbalance of energy, protein and other nutrients" which adversely affects the body's tissues ...

and food deprivation also occur. A number have depression and suicidal thoughts because of the trauma. Some are coerced to become sex traffickers themselves.

Extent

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. Perpetrators are increasingly using websites and messaging apps to lure victims.

Responses

The government of Singapore has been criticised for not having adequate victim protection efforts. Hagar International carries out anti-sex trafficking efforts in Singapore.

References

{{Singapore-stub Crime in Singapore by type Prostitution in Singapore Women in Singapore Malaysian women Society of Singapore Human rights abuses in Singapore

Singapore Singapore (), officially the Republic of Singapore, is a sovereign island country and city-state in maritime Southeast Asia. It lies about one degree of latitude () north of the equator, off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, bor ...