Children make up 30% of Batam sex workers

Children make up 30% of Batam sex workers

BATAM, Riau: Some 30 percent of about 15,000 sex workers in Batam and Riau islands are children, according to the coordinator of the Health and Humanitarian Foundation, Lola Wagner.

"Based on our studies in Batam and Riau, some 30 percent of sex workers are children. The syndicate involved in trafficking women often forge their ages (on their ID cards)," Lola said.

The syndicate prepares fake ID cards and fake birth certificates for the children to be employed as sex workers on the island.

She said Batam and Riau drew traffickers because of the high demand for prostitutes. --Antara