Sex trafficking in Malaysia
Sex trafficking in Malaysia is human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation and slavery that occurs in Malaysia. Malaysia is a country of origin, destination and transit for sex trafficking.
Sex trafficking victims in the country are from all ethnic groups in Malaysia and foreigners. Children,[1][2] people in rural areas and or poverty, minorities,[3] migrants, and refugees[4][5] are vulnerable. Malaysian citizens, primarily women and girls,[6] have been sex trafficked into other countries in Asia and different continents.[7] Many are forced into prostitution and or marriage[2][8] and unfree labour.[9] Victims are threatened and experience physically and psychologically abuse.[3] They contract sexually transmitted diseases from rapes. Some are coerced to be in online pornographic films. The perpetrators are often part of or collude with criminal syndicates.[10] They increasing use the internet to deceive victims.[3][7]
The government of Malaysia has been criticized for its response to sex trafficking. Corruption and impunity are pervasive. Officials and police have been complicit in trafficking.[9][5][11] Law enforcement have also failed to recognize victims and other indications of trafficking, and have treated cases as immigration violations.[5] Though some anti-trafficking efforts, such as public service announcements,[5] are carried out, progress has been limited by poor border management,[10] weak victim protections,[5] inadequate law enforcement practices, low convictions,[12] and other factors.[9]
References
- "Govt studying best mechanism to address child sex trafficking - Wan Azizah". Bernama. February 22, 2019.
- "Stop human trafficking in Malaysia, DAP MP tells gov't". Malaysia Kini. December 21, 2019.
- "Educate the young about human trafficking". NST. February 12, 2019.
- "NGO Report: Malaysia Now a Destination for Sex-Trafficking of Rohingya Girls". Benar News. December 20, 2019.
- "US penalises Malaysia for shameful human trafficking record". The Guardian. June 20, 2014.
- "Anambra Indigenes Living in Malaysia Raise Alarm Over Sex Trafficking Of Their Women". Kanyi Daily. 2019.
- "Slavery in Malaysia". The ASEAN Post. August 26, 2019.
- "Rohingya women, girls being trafficked to Malaysia for marriage". Al Jazeera. May 8, 2019.
- "Malaysia must wake up to its human trafficking problem". New Mandala. May 24, 2017.
- "U.S. to downgrade Malaysia in annual human trafficking report: source". Reuters. June 28, 2018.
- "Malaysia considers amending human trafficking law after U.S. report". Reuters. June 29, 2018.
- "Malaysia's human trafficking court draws flak after just eight convictions in first year". South China Morning Post. September 4, 2019.