Download Illicit Supply and Demand: Child Sex Exploitation in South East Asia

Illicit Supply and Demand: Child Sex Exploitation in South East Asia
Adam R. Tanielian
ABSTRACT
As migration increases and borders open more worldwide, child sex
exploitation is a growing concern. Larger populations and poor economic
conditions create opportunity to exploit people in sex industries, while international
travel provides consistent demand and a sense of anonymity to the practices. Sex
tourism generates billions of dollars annually, and some national economies are
partially dependent upon illicit proceeds from sex, including those relating to
exploitation of children. Domestic and international laws have been established to
protect children in theory, but in reality the industries proliferate, some with the
assistance of law enforcement personnel. This article focuses on the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) group as a major supplier of illicit sexual services
involving minors. Americans and Canadians are considered major consumers of
those services. Relevant literature is reviewed along with international legal
conventions, psycho-social theory, economic and crime statistics. Domestic laws
from the 12 nations studied are compared. The potential to change social conditions
from outside of a targeted group is discussed and a dynamic new approach to the
problem is introduced.
Keywords: Child Protection, Pedophilia, Child Sex Exploitation, Sex Tourism,
Organized Crime, ASEAN