Child prostitutes hail from C. Java

SEMARANG, Central Java: About 70 percent of underage prostitutes in the country hail from Wonogiri, Pati and Rembang, three regencies in Central Java.

"Besides the three regencies, underage prostitutes come from Indramayu, West Java and Banyuwangi in East Java," Mohammad Farid, head of Yogyakarta-based street children's foundation Yayasan Samin, said on Thursday.

Most of the young prostitutes are under 18 years, he said.

"Most of them cite economic problems and the failure of their marriages as their reason for prostitution," he added.

Many young women in the areas were widowed or divorced, he said. "And they have to feed their children. Prostitution is the easiest way for them to earn money." (har/edt)