Sex trafficking. The huge unspoken secret of the world. While some still sit in ignorance about it (which I truly cannot fathom how), I feel inundated with tragic stories and horrific details of how it continues to thrive.
I would always hear stories about how Asia in particular was known for being a large hub for sex-trafficking, Thailand specifically. Cambodia is a bit of a forgotten country in terms of sex-trafficking. Many organizations committed to fighting sex trafficking focus their efforts to Thailand, leaving Cambodia on the backburner. However, both countries have a huge need for rescue, rehabilitation, and most importantly reintegration.
After we loaded into our tuk-tuk after a nine hour bus ride across Cambodia, we drove through Siem Reap and marveled at the distinctly different scenery, lights, smells, and culture of Asia as compared to our previous three months in South America. Sticky and hot from the humidity already. However, the most novel difference that caught my eye was the young Khmer women who sat on chairs lining the entrance of several restaurants. What are they doing dressed up like that? Why are they there?
So many questions. We were blessed that the long-term Adventures in Missions team working at the Overflow Guesthouse (where we were staying) were working to start up a women’s ministry specifically aimed to love and help women in the sex industry. They are still in the prayer and intercession phase because they have yet to make the right connections and hear clear direction on how they can effectively minister to these women. Regardless, God is moving within Siem Reap! One of the girls heading up this ministry took time to meet with our teams and answer any questions we had. And we had a ton. Here’s what I was able to gather, although the information I’m not relaying is fuzzy and may not be 100% accurate.
I also want to note that some men are very much being sold and in bondage within the sex industry. I don’t want to downplay their pain or neglect to mention their existence within sex trafficking. However, the majority of those in bondage are women and they will be the focus of this discussion.
The sex-industry would not exist in the cities if poverty did not exist in the villages. I haven’t studied this nor am I able to prove this is accurate, but it makes some sense. The sex-industry is comprised of desperate women doing their absolute best to provide for their families back home. Without an education, skills training, or ability to speak English, there is little to nothing for her to do to make an income to support her family. These villages are extremely rural and disconnected. They have what they grow, which isn’t generally even enough. Truly one of the best options is to go to the cities to make money any way you can…. For a lot of women that option is to sell her body. Not that this is a respectable option in Khmer culture, but people are understanding because they recognize she is sacrificing her life and self for the sake of her family.
Some twisted, broken people will take advantage of the disconnected, uninformed rural villagers and journey to visit them, making promises of helping their children get an education. Because these desperate, hopeless parents want their children to have a better life, receive an education, and be well fed, they will scrap together whatever money they have (or create a debt) to pay these people to take their children away to a “boarding school”. Not knowing that they in actuality just sold their children into sex slavery. In other instances the parents are aware of where these people want to take their children, but they battle with the question… “Do I allow my kids to starve and have this meager life? Or do I give them this painful opportunity that will at least provide their needs and allow them to learn English and maybe later get a good job?” Before you’re quick to judge these parents, take a step back and really try to put yourself in their education, mindset, and position. It is NOT an easy decision to make.
Some women and children are in the industry very much against their will. They are being held captive by threats, debts, or brute force. These women are generally found in what are called KTVs, which are karaoke bars. They can’t straight up have a legal brothel so there must be a front for the income and draw of customers. So men come to these bars for a rousing night of drinking and “karaoke”. Apparently, this is the location where women and young girls are paraded onto a stage with a number where men can then bid on who they want and figure out a price for exactly what they want. Private rooms are located nearby to complete the transaction.
Other business fronts for sex trafficking include beer gardens and massage parlors. When I rode through Siem Reap, the women sitting in front of the restaurants were working at the beer gardens. The women here are generally not being held here against their will, but choose to sell themselves here out of desperation and hope to support their family. Lastly, massage parlors. Let me tell you, they are ALL OVER Cambodia (and Thailand)! Of course, you hear about massage places where you can get “happy ending”, but I always imagined them few and far between. How do you know which massage parlors are just for massages and which are selling the bodies of women? When I posed the question the answer I got truly shocked me. Even if it is just a regular massage parlor, if you asked for sex, it’s very unlikely they would turn you down. The girl would be willing to perform for the bit of extra income. Phew, that’s heavy and heartbreaking. Before we had this talk and learned all about this industry, I had already gotten one of the $4 30-minute Khmer massage…. And those girls were young, slender and definitely didn’t seem to have any actual training on how to massage a back. Ah, sigh. I quite likely unknowingly supported a massage parlor that’s selling women.
Walking through the night markets of Siem Reap it was not uncommon to see an older white man with a very young, attractive Khmer woman. You never actually know the circumstances surrounding the situation, but you’re also not ignorant of the industry. My heart would just break as I would see these hairy, white, wrinkled hands slip lower and lower down the backless dresses of these small, young Khmer women.
Goodness, I would want to be furious at these men for what they’re doing! But my heart also breaks for them. I choose to seek to understand. What have they been through? Why are they so desperate for power, attention, and sex? I’m certain the pornography industry is a huge driving force behind the sex-trafficking industry. I pray for these “Johns”, these men who think it’s okay to treat a woman like an object that can be bought or sold. Whatever they can do to fulfill their desires, it’s worth it… even if it means the dignity and self-worth of a young woman.
In Thailand, the sex industry has been more visually apparent. Our hostel is located near the red light district. Bar after bar down this street is lined with women atop chairs and barstools facing out towards the streets, waving and calling to men and waiting to be bought. These Thai women are foregoing their cultural standards with their risque clothing choices intending to lure men inside. You see a variety of different men inside. Some sitting close and cozy with one Thai woman at a table or maybe playing a game of pool.
Short term teams here (like our World Race team) are discouraged from bar ministry or going to these businesses with the intent to talk to and build relationships with these women in hopes of rescuing them. It’s ineffective for the short time period we are here and can actually cause damage and lack of credibility to long-term ministries working here. So all we can do is pray for their safety, God’s provision, and that ultimately they will come to know the Father and realize their self-worth and find a way out of the industry. As I walk past these bars I try to make eye contact and smile. I want them to see some light! Some acceptance! That I’m not judging them, that I hurt with them and for them. But these women have their walls up nice and sturdy. Checking their phones, chatting with the girls seated next to them, eyes scanning the streets for potential customers. Any moment of eye contact is fleeting and overlooked.
There is one bar called Sugar located a few blocks down from our hostel that we frequently walk past anytime we were in the old city of Chiang Mai. It has a big, light up sign written in a cheesy font. It catches your eye, but you immediately know it’s a sketchy club. Each night after dark their wide entry way is lined with high barstools and bright lights right outside the door and still directly on the side walk. Young, beautiful Thai women are dressed in tight mini skirts and low cut tops complete with 90’s platform heels. They sit there eating their dinner if it’s still early or playing on their cell phones or finishing up their makeup. You walk within inches of them because there is no where else to walk! We walked past them time and time again. Yet there is really nothing you can do or say to help them. So I just had to turn it over to God and trust that He is just and faithful.
One afternoon we were called to a safety meeting within our hostel. They informed us that a young Thai woman who made her money selling herself at one of these bars was found murdered in a hotel room close by. I was shocked that honestly this information didn’t really shock me. This is their reality. This is the pain and fear they deal with every single day. But as you walk past them atop their barstools they seem so complacent. With their walls up and hearts hardened to endure and get through. I can only imagine.
