More child prostitutes take to Surabaya's major streets<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Experts are concerned by the increasing number
\nof child prostitutes to be found on almost all major streets of
\nSurabaya, the country's second largest city.<\/p>\n
Growing demand by men over 35 for the sexual services of
\nminors are blamed for the increase.<\/p>\n
Antara quoted legal expert Getrudis Angsana as saying the
\nphenomenon developed in tandem with the onset of the economic
\ncrisis, unlike in Yogyakarta where the incidence of child
\nprostitution grew whenever payment of school tuition arrived.<\/p>\n
"Their number has increased along with the increase in demand
\nfor their services, from clients who are mostly men aged 35 or
\nolder," Angsana said at a seminar held in conjunction with
\nNational Children's Day, which falls on July 23.<\/p>\n
"There is now the so-called 'golden triangle' (where child
\nprostitutes operate), which covers Apsari Park, Simpang Dukuh and
\nEmbong Malang areas."<\/p>\n
Angsana, who studied child prostitution for her thesis, said
\nminors were in demand and could earn more than their adult
\ncounterparts.<\/p>\n
"Most of the prostitutes are 15 years of age, and their number
\ncontinues to increase because they attract more clients than
\nadult prostitutes do," she said. "They command prices ranging
\nfrom Rp 100,000 to Rp 150,000 for one assignation, so they can
\ncollect up to Rp 500,000 a day."<\/p>\n
Their procurers took "only 20 percent" of their payments, she
\nsaid. However, they forced the child prostitutes to sleep with
\nthem as part of the relationship.<\/p>\n
The seminar, held by the United Nations Children's Fund
\n(Unicef) and Child Protection Institute (LPA), also featured
\nhealth experts Sri Adiningsih and Soehartono.<\/p>\n
Angsana identified economic, social and psychological factors
\nbehind the teenagers' decision to enter prostitution. They
\nincluded peer pressure, the desire to earn easy money and an
\nescape from uncaring family circumstance.<\/p>\n
Soehartono said the prostitutes faced health risks of unwanted
\npregnancy, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and other
\nsexually transmitted diseases. Social ostracism was another
\nproblem.<\/p>\n
Hargandono of the provincial office of the Ministry of Social
\nServices noted policies introduced to curb prostitution,
\nincluding the granting of scholarships, the establishment of
\nhalfway houses for street children and home care.<\/p>\n
Recent studies in Greater Jakarta and Greater Surabaya found
\nthe institutionalization of child prostitution, with parents,
\nneighbors and even village officials and chiefs involved. Girls
\nwere raised and treated as "capital" for later income for
\nparents. Children as young as 12 were sold by their parents to
\nthe highest bidder.<\/p>\n
The study was commissioned by the Jakarta office of the
\nInternational Labor Organization, whose International Program on
\nthe Elimination of Child Labor has included child prostitution in
\nits fight against the worst exploitation of working minors.<\/p>\n
Director of ILO Jakarta Iftikhar Ahmed opened a workshop on
\nchild labor in Bogor by noting that six million children between
\nthe ages of seven to 15 dropped out of school during the crisis.
\nMany of them have been forced to work to supplement their
\nfamilies' income.<\/p>\n
"This will cause a massive impact on the quality of
\nIndonesia's human resources, (which will in turn) adversely
\naffect the country's future."<\/p>\n
He appealed for greater attention to children who were
\nexploited and forced to work in hazardous jobs.<\/p>\n
Minister of Manpower Fahmi Idris said in his address that the
\nproblem of child labor was complicated and needed an integrated,
\ncomprehensive approach.<\/p>\n
"This is a problem that is associated closely with the social
\neconomic background of our country, our cultural and educational
\nbackground," he said.<\/p>\n
The workshop will last three days. (swe)<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/more-child-prostitutes-take-to-surabayas-major-streets-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }