Sex trafficking victims in the country are from all ethnic groups in Indonesia and foreigners.
Children,[1] migrants,[2] refugees, and people with low education or in poverty are vulnerable.[1] Indonesian citizens, primarily women and girls, have been sex trafficked into other countries in Asia[3][1] and different continents.[4] Many are abducted, deceived[1] and forced into prostitution[1] and unfree labour.[5] Victims are threatened and experience physically and psychologically abuse.[6] They contract sexually transmitted diseases from rapes. They have been drugged[6] and forced to take pills to delay menstruation to maximize profits.[1] Some are coerced to be in online pornographic films.
The sex traffickers are often part of or collude with criminal syndicates.[1] The traffickers have been creating accounts on pornographic sites and social media platforms in order to sell sex acts from their victims.[1]Pedophiles and sex tourists travel to Indonesia.[1] Australian and other foreigner paedophile rings had infiltrated Indonesia using the pretense of adopting or fostering impoverished children.[1] Some perpetrators are victims of sex trafficking themselves.[1]
The government of Indonesia has been criticized for the weak implementation of sex trafficking laws[1] and poor victim protections.[5] Some law enforcement have not received proper anti-trafficking training.
Non-governmental organizations
Compassion First, headquartered in Beaverton, Oregon, carries out anti-sex trafficking efforts in Indonesia.[7]