There is growing interest in Cambodia as a vacation destination, but Cambodia also is a destination for thousands of men from around the world seeking sex with children. As other developing countries such as Thailand make progress in reducing sex tourism, opportunistic men simply travel to poorer, less developed neighboring countries.
As one of the world’s 20 poorest countries, Cambodia is ripe for such exploitation. Its 11.4 million people have an average income of only $300 annually. Its social, political and legal institutions still are recovering from the brutal legacy of the Khmer Rouge. Access to health care and education is very limited. Young girls are especially prone to drop out of school to help support their families.
At the same time, tourism is on the rise. Most visitors come to Cambodia for the rich heritage and natural beauty exemplified by Angkor Wat. The Cambodian government, which considers tourism to be a valuable part of its economic future, expects the number of foreign visitors to triple over the next three years.
Unfortunately, sex tourism also is on the rise in Cambodia. One-third of all sex workers in the country are estimated to be children, mostly ages 12 to 17, but some even younger.
In a recent survey in conjunction with Cambodia’s tourism ministry and its National Council for Children, World Vision found that 45% of Cambodian travel agents said they had seen tour guides supply children to foreign visitors. More than 70% of children surveyed around Angkor Wat and nearby towns said that tourists had approached them for sex.
(Source: Laurence Gray, Director [Manager] of Child Protection Programs in Cambodia for World Vision)
