As dusk falls, the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh is at its most appealing.
It is bathed in a soft and purplish evening light. The air is filled with
tropical scents. Lovers stroll along the river bank by the old Royal Palace.
The visions of Cambodia at peace after years torn by civil war are
enchanting.
But the glitter of dusk over the city hides an ugly reality. For all of its
exotic charm, Phnom Penh can be a cruel place. It is a city of terrible
sexual exploitation and depravity. Between the Independence Monument and the
Mekong lies a municipal park where desperate sex slaves - teenage girls -
sit on benches selling their bodies.
The park is named the Jardin de Hun Sen after Cambodia's prime minister, whose
house overlooks one side of it. Hun Sen has been in power since 1985 and is
the longest-serving leader in Asia. But his government has been incapable of
stopping Cambodia's multi-million-pound sex business despite periodic
crackdowns by the police, who are underpaid and known for their extortion
and corrupt ways.
Gary Glitter, the convicted British paedophile, used to live in a house next
door to Hun Sen, paying thousands of pounds in rent for the privilege. He is
now serving a three-year prison sentence in Vietnam for sexually abusing
girls, after being permanently expelled from Cambodia on suspicion of having
done the same there.
But the teenage girls who congregate in the park at dusk are not selling sex
to western men. Phnom Penh has become dangerous for western paedophiles to
operate in. It is full of campaigning and vigilant NGOs seeking to stop
underage sex tourism by westerners. More than 100 people actively monitor
child sexual abuse in Phnom Penh, and over the years an increasing number of
arrests of paedophiles have taken place. The penalties are harsh. One
convicted New Zealander is currently serving 20 years in a Cambodian prison
for raping five girls. The girls in the garden are mostly selling themselves
to Cambodian men on their way home after work.
There are estimated to be 30,000 sex slaves operating today in Cambodia. In
Phnom Penh alone, 8,000 girls are working in the sex industry. There are 124
brothels, 83 massage parlours, 56 karaoke bars. In one establishment there
are 300 working girls. Perhaps one in three is HIV-positive. Many have been
sold into brothels by their families. Many are in their early teens. Some
are as young as five years old. So it is that nearly three decades after the
end of the Khmer Rouge reign of terror, in which 1.7m people died, Cambodia
is gripped by another kind of scourge. It is completely different in kind,
of course, but it is ruining thousands of young lives. Cambodia is home to
some of Asia's most sordid brothels.
The perception held by many concerned people in the West is that the cause of
this big explosion in prostitution is sex tourism by western men, who come
to southeast Asia to exploit vulnerable young women and children in a poor,
underdeveloped country. In Phnom Penh recently I heard an Australian man
describe the city as "PPP heaven" - meaning, as he so eloquently phrased it,
"pot, piss and pussy". But the perception that western men are the reason
for the existence of Cambodia's legion of sex workers is far removed from
the wretched reality of what is happening.
When foreigners are engaged in underage sex, the nationalities are
predominantly Asian, but the reason the country is awash with prostitution
is primarily to service Cambodian men. With millions struggling to live on
less than 25p per day, many women turn out of desperation to jobs in the sex
industry, and poor parents sell their children when they are five or six for
as little as £50. Girls prostitute themselves for £1 a trick, but at least
half of this goes to their pimp or the brothel where they work, so they are
left with very little themselves. The brothels are mostly tin-roofed wooden
shacks with tiny windowless rooms, furnitureless except for a bed with a
soiled mattress, with used condoms and cigarette ends on the floor.
The girls at the Jardin de Hun Sen charge a little extra for operating from a
more salubrious part of town. Also considered to be a better class of
prostitute, they can command higher fees: they are paid £2.50 for sex. Most
of the clients are Cambodians, but there are also men who come to Cambodia
from other Asian countries, particularly China, Japan and Korea, for whom
the pretty, naive Cambodian country girls are playthings to be enjoyed on
holiday or to be bought and taken back to their own countries as brides.
It's a multi-million-pound industry.
Nobody knows this hard truth and the extent of this prostitution better than
Somaly Mam, a 35-year-old Cambodian woman, energetic, doe-eyed with
jet-black hair, who leads Afesip (Action for Women in Distressing
Situations), an association that rescues girls and young women from the
brothels. Born amid the tumult of war, she does not know who her parents
are. She was abandoned and raped when she was 12 and two years later was
sold off and forced to marry.
Her husband would get drunk, beat and rape her and fire bullets that passed
close by her head and feet. When she was 15 she took his gun and shot him in
the foot to hurt him as he had hurt her. He then sold her into a brothel,
where she had to accept five or six clients a day. One day a client called
her and another girl. He said he was with just one other man. In fact there
were 20 of them, who abused the girls terribly. Later she married a
Frenchman and had three children. Last year she indirectly became a victim
of sex slavery a second time when her daughter Ning, 14, was kidnapped,
drugged and raped, possibly out of revenge for her mother's work.
When I met Mam in Phnom Penh she was exhausted, having just returned to the
capital from trips to Italy and Singapore to publicise the plight of
Cambodian women in the brothels, and a gruelling 10-hour road journey from
Pailin, a remote and squalid town in the far west of Cambodia which was once
a Khmer Rouge stronghold and is now paradoxically a centre of pornography,
prostitutes and gambling.
Though wearied by the travelling, she insisted on setting off almost
immediately to visit the girls in her main refuge in the countryside, a
three-hour drive away, where former sex workers attend school and learn
skills like weaving and sewing so that they can earn a living outside the
brothel.
She had received news that a six-year-old girl, along with her sister, had
been sold into a brothel. The girl, later rescued, had developed full-blown
Aids and was now dying. When we arrived, the little girl's face lit up at
the sight of Mam, whom she had been crying out for. She put out her arms and
hugged her. "I haven't seen her and the other girls for a month," Mam said.
"It is too long. Many of these girls are orphans or have been sold by their
parents and I am their mother. They did not have a childhood, and I am
trying to give back what they lost."
Here is Chim Chanry, who at the age of seven was raped by her uncle while she
slept at her brother's house. When she revealed what had happened to her
brother, he tried to kill her with a knife. Rejected by her family after the
incident, she was sold into a brothel by her sister. 'she has never been
home," said Mam.
Here is Keo, a 15-year-old orphaned Vietnamese girl who lived with her
stepmother, who sold her via Cambodia into a brothel over the border in
neighbouring Thailand. The brothel-keeper sold her on to another brothel,
where she lived off a packet of noodles a day. When she became sick, the
owner beat her and tortured her with electric shocks. Rescued by a Thai
sister organisation of Mam's organisation Afesip, she does not know who her
parents are or where they live. Still today, months after her rescue, her
eyes are expressionless, dead, the eyes of someone who has borne the
unbearable.
Here, too, is one of two sisters who was sold to a brothel by her mother when
she was five - nobody knows how much for. She was drugged and beaten, passed
from man to man, until she was rescued by Afesip and brought to the centre.
How is she doing, I ask. Mam pauses. 'she is HIV-positive," Mam says. "We
are going to make her life as comfortable as possible until she dies. It
breaks the heart."
Also there is a little orphan girl. Her mother, a prostitute, had arrived at
the centre covered in blood. She had been mutilated by a client who was
trying to take out her unborn baby to offer it to the temple to bring him
good luck. Horribly injured, her mother died while giving birth and the
little baby was brought up by another former prostitute who had a baby of
the same age.
These are just a few of the examples of the 45 girls at the Kompong Cham
centre learning a new life. Being in Mam's care, they are the luckier ones.
For every girl Afesip saves, there are dozens more who suffer in silence and
isolation.
Prostitution and underage sex are nothing new in Cambodia. The great Chinese
traveller Chou Ta-Kuan, who was an emissary to the kingdom of Angkor,
describes on his travels through Cambodia in the 13th century the pinnacle
of Khmer civilisation: the deflowering of young girls in a religious
ceremony. Still today in the countryside, parents take their daughters to
the monastery around the age of 14 to be deflowered by the head monk.
It is meant to bring good fortune. There is another reason why very young
girls are in demand in Cambodia: as virgins they are thought through
intercourse to cure Aids.
Ta-Kuan also described how the king had four to five thousand women in his
palace, and even in modern times there is no law governing the number of
young concubines the kings of Cambodia may have. Famously, in 1951, when he
was 29 and already had four concubines and 10 children, Cambodia's playboy
King Norodom Sihanouk took Monique Izzi, a half-Italian, half-Cambodian
beauty, as his fifth concubine when she was only 16. They quickly had two
children.
One of the great charms of Cambodia was that its people were pleasure-seeking
and insouciant and lived simple, natural lives revolving around the family,
Buddhist festivals and the rhythm of the seasons.
Perhaps that is too idealistic. Behind the enigmatic Khmer smile there were
always undercurrents of violence, which exploded into the open finally with
the war and the savagery of the Khmer Rouge. But the country's cultural
values have been warped since by unbridled greed, consumerism and massive
exploitation.
I well remember what a Cambodian foreign-ministry official said to me as
Cambodia struggled to get back on its feet in the 1980s after the Khmer
Rouge tyranny which had turned the clock in Cambodia back to Year Zero.
"Go and tell your investor friends that Cambodia is like a beautiful woman
lying on her back with her legs open waiting to be taken," Chum Bun Rong
said.
How true in every context this is. Sexual slavery has got such a strong grip
on Cambodia now that defeating it is almost impossible. It is spreading like
a cancer, and a new phenomenon that Mam and others combating the sex trade
find particularly virulent and disturbing is the accompanying terrible rise
in sexual violence.
Prior to 1990 there were no words for gang rape in the Khmer language. It did
not exist. Now young Cambodians have invented the word bauk for it. Gang
rape has become the norm in urban youth culture. Why exactly this is so,
nobody knows, but the spread of violent pornographic films that are
constantly playing in some local bars is thought to be part of the reason.
In Phnom Penh the other day an old Indochina hand said to me: "Call Cambodia
paradise and kiss it goodbye."
however horrific the situation may in these areas, sending money usually won't help, as Mac from the USA said, because the entire governmental system is corrupt. what does help is making sure the money actually gets where it is supposed to get, to the prostitutes and the organizations, like Afesip, which are helping the prostitutes by giving them a place to stay and teaching them how to make clothes, so they can take care of themself.
Mark , Amsterdam,
I was really shocked when I read the article, I've heard about this kind of prostitution but I've never been so confronted with it. The stories of these children and women are terrible. They are scarred for life. I agree with Christine that there is something we can do. You can raise money or adopt a child. My parents have adopted a child via Foster Parents, the child stays there but you financially support him. It think you can aslo collect clothes and toys or books, school material(like pens and so on) and money for Afesip. Maybe you could do something with your classmates or the whole school.
Kleine Powel, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
What makes me sick is what a little future there is for these girls. The only hope for them are little organisations such as Mam’s. Sex industry is involved in the daily life of the Cambiodians and you can’t change it all of a sudden, you need a totally different state of mind. Some people say its just simple economics, but I think that’s only because they have no other choice. Western organisations could help with creating other ways of earning a living and a very important other thing; education. People need to know that you can’t solve aids by having sex with a virgin.
Skadi, Amsterdam,
It really is a big problem. I think it's horrible that girls can be sold and bought for (to us in europe and in other "wealthy" parts in the world)so little money. But on the other hand, the parents have no choice. They have absolutely NO money and they only do it to take care of their (other) childeren (and maybe they even think that they help the childeren they sell).
So, to change this, other things have to change first.
I totally agree with Marc Vanhemelryck, this thing won't change overnight, it has to be investigated in every way possible.
Noémi, Amsterdam,
Although this story is horrible, things like this happen all around the world EVERY DAY and we shouldn't forget that. Now it's an article about Cambodia, in the next article they'll talk about the rapings in Africa. Bad things happen all around the world.
Remember that.
Stefano, Amsterdam
Stefano, Amsterdam,
It makes me verry sad to hear that there is child prositution in Cambodia. I believe that it is verry difficult to stop child prositution in this countries because the prositution gives the economy of these countries a boost.
I understand that the people who sell there childeren to these bordeels have financinal problems and are no longer capeble of taking care for there childeren. They see no other option then to make a little profit of their children buy selling them.
But that makes it not right that these inocent children are the victims of child prositution.
Some people may think that these girls makes the free choice
fpr prositution because they make money with it. You could see it that these girls see no other way to survive because they have no education. Little chance that they find work.
Maarten, Amsterdam, Nederland
I was disgusted by this story, it shows how sick people can be.
I mean selling your own child to a brothel? No parents should even think about it. I don't care if they're desperate, selling your own child is no option, I would rather die.
Stefano, Amsterdam, Holland
I get schocked reading this article because i can't immagine that parrents would sell their children for 50 pounds.
They must be in very desperate situations if they get to the point where they would sell their children.
I think that the Cambodian government should take drastic matters against the illegal prostitution because i think things are getting out of hand.
jip tuerlings, amsterdam, nederland
I agree with most of the comments that have been posted here. The prostitution happening in Cambodia is terrible and probably worse than I could ever imagine. I think it's clear that the Cambodian government isn't able to do something about this problem with all the poverty and corruption going on in the country. That's why I think the western countries should try to help girls in countries like Cambodia that are being exposed to child prostitution.
I think it's clear that these girls aren't doing this out of their free will. I strongly disagree with satya's post, to quote: "My point is - It's not slavery...It's just simple economics. And many girls would freely choose to sleep with random strangers for money anywhere". I think it's very clear that in this case it's not out of free will. If someone has to work against their own will for little to no money, it's called slavery, NOT "free will".
Something has to be done...
- Eray Tarhan -, Amsterdam, Netherlands
this is the second time i write this but here it is:
I know it's terrible that young girls have to have sex against their will, but just as sayta said it brings a good economy, and what would you do if you had to choose between dieing of hunger or having sex with people but you still can live another day!
without the choise between dieing or having sex, then it would be another Africa. The people there have no water and food, but do they have childprostitution? No, and that's why people die. THey have no choise but their path is only death.. do you want Asia to become just like this?
I think that this article doesn't give a right view of what's happening in Cambodia. We only read 5 senteces about what's happening with the girls. The rest of the text just tell us about that orginisation..
Thomas.
thomas Reijerkerk, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Last year I read this book called "Eleven minutes" by Paul Coelho. It's the story of Maria, a young girl from a Brazilian village. A rich businessman/pimp took her to the big city:
Rio de Janeiro. I think she was 13 when her parents sold her.
I do not understand HOW you can do this to your own daughter. Ok..these people are poor...but to sell you own child...??!! That's crazy!
This girl "Maria'"also worked in a 'karaoke-bar' (actually a brothel) Every night she made love with other men.
That's why this story "A plague in Paradise" had so much impact on me. I didn't know parents sell their toddlers at the age of five!
After high-school I want to help children in the third world countries...maybe not as my future work..but only for one/two year(s). I'm thinking about a organisation as Afesip. To save and help young girls/women from prostitution. I think their work/help is great!
Gina, Amsterdam, Netherlands
I disagree with Ethan. He went to Cambodia and he tells us now that he didn't see the prostitution. I think that if you look carefully you'll see it. Maybe he doesn't want to see it beacause it is such a horrible thing, and maybe he went to the wrong places. Molly is telling us that if you have a more trainend observation that you will see those things. It was her own experience!
Roos, Amsterdam, Holland
In the other comments a couple of people say that they have seen it, or not, or anyway know something about it besides what is written in this article. I'm afraid I can't. I knew this was going on but I never was really aware of it and how awful it is. Such young girls!
People who mess with them don't mess with them for a minute, they mess up their entire life! And I bet they aren't aware of that, and if so, they're just sickminded. I think it's a great article and it's a subject that people should really know more about!
Else Bavinck, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
We, the western society, have no idea what it's like for these girls in Cambodia and in the rest of Asia. It is considered normal there and I think there's not much we can do about it . The police in the these countries are corrupted. they get more money from the pimps when they pretend that nothing has happened than they would get from their payroll every month. So on one hand I understand their choice, but on the other hand I think it's unbearable to see the girls get abused right before your eyes. what happens in these countries is just flat out shocking...
Maarten G, Amsterdam, NL
I disagree with Ethan. Het went to Cambodia en he tells us now that he didn't see the prostitution. I think that if you look carefully you'll see that it is really there. Maybe he didn't want to see it, because it is such a horrible thing. And maybe he wasn't at the right place. molly is saying that you don't see that kind of things until you 're more trained in what you're seeing. That is her own experience!
Roos, Amsterdam, Holland
When you read this article it really strikes me how unfair life really is.It is really sad to hear that people have to start making money when they are just five years old.There really should be more attention to this problem.It is only because of this article that i know how serious this problem is.Afesip is a great iniative to help those women but it doesn't come even close to what needs to be done to help those people.There are more ways to earn money then sex!The country just needs help to find the right way!
annelot, amsterdam,
So sad! I've never seen something like that, but I can imagin how horrible it is. Not only for the Girls who are sold, but also for their parents. They see there daughter constantly with different men. I really think that people should do something about it. Girls who are five years old should be playing with dolls and with friends and they should not have seks with men!
I think that when I have the change I really should help the organisation Afesip. I think it is wonderfull what they do.
Roos, Amsterdam,
So sad! I've never seen something like that, but I can imagin how horrible it is. Not only for the Girls who are sold, but also for their parents. They see there daughter constantly with different men. I really think that people should do something about it. Girls who are five years old should be playing with dolls and with friends and they should not have seks with men!
I think that when I have the change I really should help the organisation Afesip. I think it is wonderfull what they do.
Roos, Amsterdam,
I already knew the world wasn’t a nice place, but this article really opens your eyes. It’s so sad that the people who have the might to change these situations seem to be blind.
I agree with Wendy, it’s so sad men still control women, I feel really privileged to live here.
I think the economy is the real problem. If parents would have enough money to feed their children, they wouldn’t have to sell them. This horrible decision shouldn’t have to be made by anyone.
Leonie, Amsterdam,
This article made me sick. It is so unfair that people in other parts of the world have to live like this. I wish that our gouvernment would use all the money they waist on war, to help these girls! I just can't stand the fact that there are little girls raped, every day, by men. I don't care if it's tradition or not. This has got to stop.
Janna, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
when I finished reading the article, I was shocked. I had not realised there are still places on the world, where these kind of things happen. It has to stop, because it's terrible, what's happening there. However it won't stop, because, like Mike said: 'The wealthy nations apear to be doing nothing to aid or help the situation.."
Thijs, Amsterdam,
It's horrible to still hear about these problems. You wouldn't think
that in a civilized world like this, those things are still happening. We just have no idea. I totally agree with Mac from Oakland, USA.
People act strange in such poverty. It's shocking for us, western people, to see that.
We should all try to help those girls. for example by raising money. The prostitution for such young girls has to stop.
Annekee, Amsterdam,
I think it's a terrible thing. When I read the article it made me sick. But somehow I can understand why those mothers sell their children. Peolple will do whatever they have to, to survive. Therefore I can't really blame them. But that doesn't excuse child prostitution.
What Marc Vanhemelryc said about this being a part of a much more complex problem is something I can certainly believe. Although I can hardly inmagine an even worse situation than the the one those young girls are in.
Alexia, Amsterdam,
It's horrible that these things still can happen, and it's not only in Cambodia. Satya's comment says enough I think, it's all over the world. This problem must be solved very quick, because the life of a lot of children is ruined.
Koen, Amsterdam,
it's horrible
Koen, Amsterdam,
In the other comments a couple of people say that they have seen it, or not, or anyway know something about it besides what is written in this article. I'm afraid I can't. I knew this was going on but I never was really aware of it and how awful it is. Such young girls!
People who mess with them don't mess with them for a minute, they mess up their entire life! And I bet they aren't aware of that, and if so, they're just sickminded. I think it's a great article and it's a subject that people should really know more about!
Else Bavinck, amsterdam, the netherlands
Poor girls, some even younger than I am. I couldn't imagine what it would be like and I really don't want to either. They have no choice, it's a choise between life and death. Really unfair!
If just 1 man would give a girl a change like we all get. Just for a start. I'm conviced that if they got the same changes as we get, non of them ( the younger girls ) would still be a prostitute. They are doomed for prostitution of they want to make some money, and when they finally have some money, they have to give a part away.
I think Antoine just said it perfectly in 2 words:
'Incredibly terrible....................!'
Zoey, Amsterdam,
Its terrible that these things still happen all around the world. We have no idea. I agree with Ivan from Bangkok. These monks are just as bad as sex-tourists. the fact that deflowering is considered normal in Cambodian culture, will not help to solve this problem.
Felicia, Amsterdam,
It is there, really. Just as described in the article. A very bad mix of poverty, hunger for food AND lifestilearticles, culture, weak legal system, corruption, the culture all over asia and thus some of the rich neighbours.
The part about vietnamese girls is important, because of the very young ones, they seem to be a very big part, more then 50% in the "public" places. Add to that an degrading view many cambodian have to vietnamese.
The visible prostitution in Thailand, geared towards westerners, is also available in cambodia, just not THAT visible. But most of these girl are not underage (16+in cambodias case) and can chose with whom they go and for how much money (usually 15-40 USD for all night), without having a pimp. Resulting in less abuse and a real perspective because they can actually save money.
dan, somewhere, europe
when I read the article I had to hold back tears. I feel compelled to help. How can I help?
Gary Sutherland, Aberdeen,
How foolish we are for thinking monks are driven by spiritualism!
Ivan, Bangkok,
"I just returned from Cambodia last week. In Phnom Penh, I was amazed at how absent the sex industry was considering reports like the one above. It is nothing like Bangkok. There were no prostitutes, brothels or seedy dealings anywhere near the Riverside, the main tourist hangout. ....."
Ethan Putterman, Singapore, Singapore" I thought the same thing that Ethan did until I was more trained in what I was seeing. Many of the brothels in Cambodia can be in tiny shacks, karoake bars, massage parlors, laundrymats, etc. The riverfront in PP is lovely and has been cleaned up but if you know what you are seeing you will realize that the commercial sexual exploitation of women and children is rampant there. The newspaper boys by the riverfront and the child beggars are routinely sexually assaulted. It is a lovely country but scratch the surface and the volume of abuse is rampant. Thailand's prostitution is more obvious but I think Cambodia's is more pervasive.
www.stopexploitationnow.org
molly, Seattle, WA, USA
Thailand has a history of atracting single male tourists on holiday. That country has prospered because they are business minded. They have not been exploited, you could say they exploit the westerners. Cambodia will remain poor because they do not put economic development (in whatever form ) at the highest priority. A begger cannot be a chooser. A young girl can work in a brothel on Cambodia and no one stops it but if a girl/woman dances in a bar the police raid the place. The country needs to get its priorities. A vibrant nightlife would attract many more single male tourist who would spend thousands of dollars. Many people call them `sex tourists`. Most of them are ordinary single men on holiday and wealthy ones at that.
Tom, uk,
Everyone can do something to help stop this horror. Many charities work in Cambodia to educate the children to give them a future. Find one of these charities, sponsor a child, raise funds for the charities and you will help to change the life of young people today and in the future. Do it now, it will be the best thing you ever do.
It is a shame that this article concentrates only on the prostitution and no other aspects of Cambodia. There is real hope for some lucky children but much more needs to be done, and you CAN help.
Christine, London, UK
Insects harmful to crops are destroyed. Animals harmful to either human beings or other animals are culled. Why such evil persons as drug and/or people traffickers, mass murders, despots, etc..., who are really harmful to societies should be spared from culling? Should not there be a public forum on this particular topic?
Hean KONG (Mr), Phnom Penh, Cambodia
What is Mitchell talking about?
Smele, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Oh god it sounds so sick, it's not the girls creating the market it's MEN.
Maggie Millington, Brittany, France
It's really terrible for women in Cambodia! Although more and more women-protected organizations are built up nowadays, we have to admitted that the whole society is still patriarchy, women are under the control of men and always are treated unequally. This unequality in Cambodial is twisted and makes people quite heartbroken.
All of these devils can be traced back to the economic's underdevelopment.
Wendy, chengdu, China
I wonder about these frequent articles about Cambodia and its child prostitution problem: for example I just asked my Khmer friend about head monks deflowering 14 yr olds as mentioned above: he swears he never heard about such things ( he is from the countryside, Siem Reap area).More info anyone please?
Organisations fighting the problem rely heavily on publicity for donations. It is claimed that some have in the past framed innocent expats and the information I got in this regard convinced me that there is truth in this allegation.
I have not done any research on the subject as the anonymous writer of this article apparently has,but based on my too brief visits, friendships and the feedback from expats there, the extent of the problem is somewhat exaggerated.
Some articles about what happens to the millions of dollars of aid poured into countires like Cambodia ,with special focus on th role played by westerners in its "dissapearance" might be of more interest .
Pieter, Cape Town , South Africa
I congratulate the author for bringing a more realistic view on the problem than what the western press usually reports. But he should check his facts on Buddhist monks deflowering young girls. Buddhist monks are not allowed to touch the other sex, let alone having intercourse.
A combination of Cambodian cultural values and unbridled capitalism are tearing apart the fabric of Cambodian society. This is exacerbated by the poverty that resulted from the devastation by US policies in the Vietnam war and from the Khmer Rouge regime that rose to power as a result of those policies.
I wished I would have had a chance to speak to the author, because, as accurate as his report may be, it presents only one part of a much more complex problem.
Only a hollistic approach can change the tide, and for this approach to be feasable, the issue must be investigated from all angles and with a non-judgemental acceptance of Khmer cultural values.
Marc Vanhemelryck, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
So sad,
I have spent months in Cambodia, and have a wife from there and two great kids.
Some people think it is the leadership, but a feeling of hopelessness and powerlessnes pervades the nation. A change in leadership, like in Iraq, will just bring another power struggle and little shift in the poverty. Seems the only way this will shift is if the leadership somehow shares the pain. Other nations keep filling the coffers with "aid" that mostly ends up in the pockets of the already rich.
My daughter's shoe fell off while we were motorbiking in Phnom Penh, and before we could turn around, a young man had stopped in picked it up. I was about to thank him, and he offered to sell it to us for 1,000 riel, about 25 cents American.
A woman carrying motorcycle fenders on her bike fell in the middle of the street and could not get up because she was holding onto the fenders so hard to keep anyone from taking them. She was hurt. And, it is a beautiful country. M
Mac, Oakland, USA
It's not free choice if you're choosing one horrible fate over another, Satya. Would you want your daughter, sister or mother made to choose either prostitution or death?
Suzanne, Toronto, Canada
Incredibly terrible....................!
Antoine, Warsaw, Poland
I just returned from Cambodia last week. In Phnom Penh, I was amazed at how absent the sex industry was considering reports like the one above. It is nothing like Bangkok. There were no prostitutes, brothels or seedy dealings anywhere near the Riverside, the main tourist hangout. All of the massage parlors frequented by tourists were on the up-and-up. Surprisingly, I found the same to be true in Siem Riep, home of Angkor Wat.
From what I know, the vast majority of customers to prostitutes throughout Asia (with the exception of Bangkok, perhaps) are Asian -as the report states. But I found Cambodia to be a very conservative and lovely country. I think that most Western visitors would agree with my assessment.
Ethan Putterman, Singapore, Singapore
Tragic story and again the wealthy nations apear to be doing nothing to aid or help the situation..by allowing convicted sex offenders to travel, by promoting tourism but not the darker side of these places, by not highighting the plight of those in desperate need of help. The bottom line is that extreme poverty brings out the worst in humanity ... but there is always choice and the tourism opportunity is there if only they could harness it..
mike, kenilworth, uk
I went there recently and the place both captured and shocked/ saddened/sickened me.
Seeing fat, ugly westerners, themselves looking terribly sad and lonely, sitting next to beautiful angels, their eyes apprehensive and fearful, left a deep impression on me. I left feeling angry, unsure of what to think. And truth be told, i still don`t. On the one hand, prostitution provides income. I know people will read this and probably be horrified at that statement but when you have been there and seen the poverty and problems that these people face, you can understand why women and girls use prostitution as a way to survive. For most, it`s the only way to survive. Solutions, i have none. Sadness, i have plenty, although probably not as much as many of these women.
jason, gifu,
would just like to say one thing. You go on about sexual slavery - and how these young girls are selling their bodies as they are so poor, etc...but as a girl in Cambodia said - "I'd rather die of aids tomorrow than of starvation today" - Sex is the only way these people can survive. You are not providing a solution - just nagging about a harsh reality.
And - look at other parts of the world. "Free women" in the "Free world" - the ones on BDSM and Porn videos - would you call them sexual slaves too? They have a choice - but still subject themselves to being abused, spat on and violated for money!
Look at Cambodia's neighbouring country Thailand. THe country THRIVES on sexploitation - In fact it is one of asia's most successful economies because thousands of western tourists pour in there to sleep with the fresh young indigenous girls
My point is - It's not slavery...It's just simple economics. And many girls would freely choose to sleep with random strangers for money anywhere
satya, London, United Kingdom
Im Brazilian,and I know exacle what it is...
TERRIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!
regina barreto klepstad, oslo, norwey
Having been to Cambodia I know just to what you speak of. Things are bad Yes! that is true and it will take a lot of time and money to work things out there. Cambodia itself is struck in an time warp as the other country in and around it grow, Cambodia sit still around the early 1970's. Only when the goverment, finance, and foreign investmest to create jobs and development, along with better schooling will this teribble probelm will begin to fade and even then as in other country around the world it will still be out there.
Mitchell C. Coleman, Detroit, MI. U.S.A.
A beautyfull article and reality.
qadeer a siddiqui, phoenix , a z