More young women become prostitutes

More young women become prostitutes

JAKARTA (JP): The authorities are concerned over a sharp increase in the number of young prostitutes throughout the country.

Director of Social Rehabilitation at the Ministry of Social Services, Istikanah Soepardo, said yesterday that the number of young women entering prostitution had increased and that last year 60 percent of Indonesia's 71,281 registered prostitutes were between 15 and 20 years of age.

Istikanah, who is responsible for the rehabilitation of prostitutes and ex-convicts, told the Antara news agency that many of the young prostitutes had only primary school education.

She said the total number of prostitutes last year had risen from 65,059 in the previous year.

Earlier reports have revealed that prostitutes who work at massage parlors or on city streets are not registered with the Ministry of Social Services.

Last week Central Jakarta police arrested two young women on charges of duping teenagers into prostitution. One of the alleged victims is a 12-year-old junior high school student.

Police said each of the young girls received Rp 25,000 (US$12) for each client attended to. Police investigations into the case are continuing.

"The increased number of young prostitutes is a challenge for the government," Istikanah said.

According to a survey, 50 percent of young prostitutes enter the occupation for economic reasons, while 15 percent do so because they come from broken homes. A further 12 percent became prostitutes after the end of a short-lived marriage, the survey found.

"So the data shows that not all young women who enter prostitution are from low income bracket families," Istikanah said.

To overcome this social problem the Ministry of Social Services plans to establish a special body to take care of young prostitutes.

Istikanah said that many well-to-do families pay less than the necessary attention to their children's problems.

She said that special attention should be given to 13-year-old girls, who are at the beginning of sexual maturity. "These girls start seeking their own identity by exploring many things, including sexual activity," she explained.

The increased sexual impulse was also found among growing males, she said.

Istikanah said that the impact of globalization and the rapid influx of information from abroad were a further factor prompting young people to sample forbidden fruits.

Istikanah urged parents to pay serious attention to religious education at home and to have heart-to-heart talks with their children. (tis)