Child prostitution in higher demand

YOGYAKARTA: A survey here has found that the demand for child prostitutes, girls under 18 years of age, is on the rise this year.

Researcher Koentjoro of Gadjah Mada University's Center for Population Studies (PPK) said yesterday there were already eight procurers operating here.

They charge their customers at least Rp 75,000 (US$5) for a "short time", more for younger prostitutes, he said.

Child prostitutes seem to be preferred because their customers feel their privacy is better guarded if they sleep with them, he said.

Koetjoro, who was speaking at a seminar on child prostitution and tourism here, claimed that customers of child prostitutes would be more vulnerable to sexually transmitted diseases. (44)