Everyday, underage teenagers and children of this country are subjected to the industry, particularly on the resort islands of Bali and Batam. Many victims stem from poor families and broken homes. Some political parties have been pushing for sex education in schools. However, the Indonesian government has a long way to go in creating a safer environment for children and aiding trafficking victims. Global non-profits focused on human rights have criticized the Indonesian government for its ineffectiveness, as measures to prevent and stop the human trafficking dilemma have fallen short.
According the Indonesian Child Protection Commission KPAI , approximately , women and children fall victim to the sex trafficking ring each year.
Thirty percent of sex workers are underage below The 40, to 70, children who escape the sex trafficking ring are oftentimes still exposed to sexual abuse and exploitation. While human trafficking continues to plague all of Indonesia, big cities such as Balikpapan, Samarinda, Tenggarong, and Bontang see a higher number of children caught in prostitution rings.
Minors in the sex trafficking industry are subject to physical, psychological, and sexual abuse. In metropolises such as these, an average of 1, to 2, children, aged years-old, become prostitutes. These areas see high volumes of tourists as they are popular vacation destinations. Boys are more sought after due to their masculinity and strength, traits seen as sexually desirable. Additionally, due to social stigma, boys are more likely to keep quiet about their sexual abuse.
This leads traffickers and perpetrators to favor them over girls. However, while boys are more vulnerable to sexual exploitation, both genders face great amounts of suffering.
