TOURISM

Sex Tourism in Cambodia



Sex Tourism in Cambodia

Introduction

Sex tourism" is said to be contemporary looting of the poor countries. It provides a variety of women, children as well as men to tourists of rich countries. "Sex tourism" can be termed as exploitation of the body of the poor in any way that is be liked under the name of tourism. According to the World-Tourism-Organization (WTO), Tourism should be a factor in bringing people together, understanding, spreading prosperity and peace. The definition has mutated in the form of "sex tourism". According to UNICEF, 200,000 sex tourists who pervade all regions that are rich or poor. The tourists come from USA, Australia, Canada, Japan, Europe as well as China. 4 out of 10 tourists traveling to Thailand travel for sexual satisfaction. A small minority are in circuit of organized sex. Tourists belong to various social classes (Bales, p. 98, 1999).

Sex-Tourism is a part of growing into child-Prostitution. UNICEF states that 3 million of young children become victims of commercial sexual and exploitation each year (www.unicef.org). This type of pedophilic-oriented tourism is rising in Asian countries. Some tourists don't have the intent of exploiting children, but the fact is many of them will do so during their travels. This exploitative tourism of children is by far the most stigmatized. Pedophile networks are moving according to policies of repressive states. They are highly vigilant by nature and change operations on changing policies (Lim, p. 45, 1998).

Cambodian Situation

According to a research 22% of tourists visiting Cambodia do so for sexual purposes. The interest in visiting Cambodia is growing in the Western world. The purpose of such a trip is to come across children who are victims in prostitution in the country. While neighboring Thailand is making progress in reducing sex tourism, pedophiles are traveling to neighboring poor countries to perpetrate their acts. With the start of the holiday period, ANESVAD reports that sex tourism brings thousands of people every year to countries where sexual exploitation is a reality (Miko, p.23, 2006).

Many sex tourists have a good social and professional position, are integrated into the society of their country of origin," said Ane Fernandez, head of ANESVAD projects in Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and Laos. "We may distinguish between those who travel specifically for sexual purposes and who do so for other reasons but, once in these countries, they find the opportunity to abuse of girls and not reject it (Miller, p. 12, 2006).

According to Fernandez Anne, when the guilty are questioned they usually give false excuses to justify their behavior. They use arguments like those who engage in prostitution do on their own will or the country's culture allows them to do so. They also argue saying that this way victims can get money and help for their families (Bales, p. 78, 1999).

This demand for women and girls for sexual exploitation is directly related to increase in trafficking of people across borders. It is estimated that in Southeast Asia, 225,000 people each year ...