Sex trafficking in Hong Kong

Sex trafficking in Hong Kong is human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation and slavery that occurs in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China. Hong Kong is a city of origin, destination, and transit for sexually trafficked persons.[1]

Hong Kong citizen and foreign victims are sex trafficked into and out of the districts of Hong Kong. They are raped and physically and psychologically harmed in brothels, homes, and businesses within these administrative divisions.

Sex trafficking victims in the city are Hongkongers, Mainland Chinese,[1] and foreigners.[2] Hongkongers, primarily women and girls, have been sex trafficked out of the city to other countries in Asia and different continents. Migrants,[1] foreign workers, people in poverty, and children[1] are vulnerable. Victims are deceived,[3] threatened, and forced into prostitution[3] and unfree labour. Their documents, including passports,[1] are often confiscated and they are tied, locked-up, and or guarded. They experience physical and psychological trauma. They are exposed to sexually transmitted diseases from rapes, and abuse, malnutrition, and poor living conditions are common. Cybersex or online sex trafficking and victims being in pornography and live video sharing is a significant problem. Traffickers use many different internet and social media sites and apps, as well as email, to lure victims.

Sex trafficking and exploitation have permeated all levels of Hong Kong society. Sex traffickers come from all social and economic groups. A number of traffickers are members of or facilitated by criminal syndicates.[4] Some corrupt officials have been complicit.[4]

The scale of sex trafficking in Hong Kong is unknown because of the lack of data, the secretive nature of sex trafficking crimes, the fact that only a small minority of cases are reported to the authorities, and other factors. The government has been criticized for its insuffiencet anti-sex trafficking efforts[5] and dearth of victim protections and rehabilitation services.

References

1. "New ways to help Hong Kong's human trafficking victims". CN Monitor. October 22, 2015.
2. "Human trafficking in Hong Kong: hidden in plain sight". South China Morning Post. January 16, 2016.
3. "Human trafficking: Hong Kong's hidden crime has no statistics, and no answers". Hong Kong Free Press. August 1, 2017.
4. "Fed up with human trafficking, Hong Kong migrant workers hold vigil demanding justice". South China Morning Post. February 25, 2018.
5. "Hong Kong must lead the fight against human trafficking, rather than just do the bare minimum". South China Morning Post. July 8, 2016.