Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Sex trafficking in Cambodia: fabricated numbers versus empirical evidence

  • Published:
Crime, Law and Social Change Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Large numbers of sex trafficking victims, on the order of 80,000–100,000, have been alleged to exist in Cambodia over the past decade. Empirical results obtained from measuring the numbers of such victims in Cambodia are contrasted with the lack of support for the widely circulated guesstimates of these numbers. Examples of similar fabrications are discussed and followed through some of their early publication history. The methodology of conducting empirical field research in less developed countries is discussed and the origin of the guesstimates is probed in detail. Both the multiple methodologies employed by and the results of a program of empirical research on trafficking numbers in Cambodia conducted from 2002 to 2008 are discussed. These are compared with the results of additional empirical studies, and with the guesstimates. The existence of empirical results creates location knowledge of victims, presenting ethical questions.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Agustín, L. M. (2007). Sex at the margins: migration, labour markets and the rescue industry. NY: Zed Books.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Barry, K. (1979). Female sexual slavery. NY: New York University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  3. CHDR. (2000). Cambodia human development report 2000: children and employment. Phnom Penh: Ministry of Planning.

    Google Scholar 

  4. CNCC. (2000). Summary five years plan against trafficking and sexual exploitation of children, 2000 – 2004. Phnom Penh: Cambodian National Council for Children.

    Google Scholar 

  5. CRF. (2001). CAMBODIA: after the first world congress against commercial sexual exploitation of children: contribution to the second world congress in Yokohama, Japan. Phnom Penh: Child Rights Foundation (December).

    Google Scholar 

  6. CWDA. (1997). Annual report. Phnom Penh: Cambodian Women’s Development Association.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Derks, A., Henke, R., and Ly, V. (2006). Review of a decade of research on trafficking in persons, Cambodia. The Asia Foundation, and the Center for Advanced Study, Cambodia.

  8. HRVC. (1995). Results from rapid appraisal on child prostitution and trafficking. Phnom Penh: Human Rights Vigilance of Cambodia (April).

    Google Scholar 

  9. HRVC. (1996). Annual Report, 1995 – 1996. Phnom Penh: Human Rights Vigilance of Cambodia. USA and Germany. Wiesbaden: VS Research.

  10. Jaskchok, M. (1988). Concubines and bondservants: a social history. NY: Zed Books.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Kapur, R. (2002). The tragedy of victimization rhetoric: resurrecting the “native” subject in international/post-colonial feminist legal politics (pp. 1–37). Spring: Harvard Human Rights Journal.

    Google Scholar 

  12. National Assembly. (1997). Report on the Problem of Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking in Cambodia. Commission on Human Rights & Reception of Complaints of the National Assembly.

  13. NCHADS (2000). HIV Sentinel Surveillance Phnom Penh: National Centre for HIV/AIDS, Dermatology and STD. Power Point presentation. Available at: www.wpro.who.int/NR/rdonlyres/E7416FEE-86FE-4EDB-990F-C3C5FB047E5E/0/HIV_Sentinel_Surveillance_CAM_2000.pdf

  14. NCHADS. (2004). Estimates of total numbers of SWs, brothel-based and indirect. Phnom Penh: Surveillance Unit, Cambodian National Centre for HIV/AIDS, Dermatology and STD.

  15. NGO Statement. (2001). NGO Statement to the 2001 Consultative Group Meeting On Cambodia. Available at: http://www.bigpond.com.kh/users/ngoforum/cg2001/child.htm

  16. Perrin, B., Majumdar, S., Gafuik, N., & Andrews, S. (2001). The future of Southeast Asia: Challenges of child sex slavery and trafficking in Cambodia. Phnom Penh: The Future Group, Motorola Printers.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Sittitrai, W., Wongsukol, N., Phanuphak, P. & Brown, T. (1993). Female commercial sex work in Thailand: Prevalence and risk determinants. Paper presented at the 9th International Conference on AIDS, Berlin, Germany.

  18. Sophea, M. (1998). Notes of presentation made by Mr. Mar Sophea, National Program Coordinator of IPEC for Cambodia, in, the workshop on Combating the Trafficking of Children and their Exploitation in Prostitution and other forms of Child Labor in Mekong Basin Countries, 31st January 1998, Bangkok. Phnom Penh: ILO/IPEC.

  19. Steinfatt, T. M. (2002). Working at the bar: sex work and health communication in Thailand. Westport: Greenwood Press.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Steinfatt, T. M. (2003). Measuring the Number of Trafficked Women and Children in Cambodia: A Direct Observation Field Study. Part – III of a Series. Phnom Penh: Embassy of the United States of America. USAID, 6 October. Available at: http://slate.com/Features/pdf/Trfciiif.pdf

  21. Steinfatt, T.M. (2004, 14 July). Research Methods for Trafficking in Women and Children: A Critique of AFESIP’s Ivory Tower Approach. Part – IV of a Series. Proceedings: Trafficking, Migration, Minorities and HIV/AIDS: UNESCO, UNIAP and UNDP-SEAHIV Parallel Conference, UNESCO Southeast Asian Headquarters, AIDS 2004 – XV International AIDS Conference – 11–16 July 2004, Bangkok.

  22. Steinfatt, T. M., (2006). Trafficking, Politics, and Propaganda. Encyclopedia Entry in M. Ditmore (Ed.) Encyclopedia of Prostitution and Sex Work, vol. 2. Greenwood Press, pp. 494–498.

  23. Steinfatt, T. M., (2006). Child Prostitution, Cultural and Religious. Encyclopedia Entry in M. Ditmore (Ed.) Encyclopedia of Prostitution and Sex Work, vol. 1. Greenwood Press, pp. 101–104.

  24. Steinfatt, T. M. and Baker, S. (2011). Measuring the Extent of Sex Trafficking in Cambodia – 2008. UNIAP Human Trafficking Estimates. Final Report. Contract RCB9/2008. Bangkok: UNIAP/UNESCO. Available at: http://www.no-trafficking.org/reports_docs/estimates/uniap_cb_estimates_report.pdf

  25. Steinfatt, T. M., Baker, S., and Beesey, A. (2002). Measuring the Number of Trafficked Women in Cambodia: 2002. Part –I of a Series. Globalization Research Center – University of Hawaii-Manoa, November 13–15. Available at: http://slate.com/Features/pdf/Trfcamf3.pdf

  26. Swingle, J., & Kapoor, A. (2004). A response to Steinfatt’s estimates of the prostitute population in Cambodia (2002–2003). Phnom Penh: AFESIP International.

    Google Scholar 

  27. Thomas, F. (2005). Impact of Closing Svay Pak: Study of police and international NGO-assisted interventions in Svay Pak, Kingdom of Cambodia. Phnom Penh: AIDeTouS, Cosecam, International Association for Development, Tourism, and Health. Available at: http://www.cosecam.org/publications.html

  28. Thrupkaew, Noy. (2009a). The Crusade against Sex Trafficking: Part I. The Nation, October 5. Available at: http://www.thenation.com/doc/20091005/thrupkaew

  29. Thrupkaew, Noy. (2009b). The Crusade against Sex Trafficking: Part II. The Nation, October 26. Available at: http://www.thenation.com/doc/20091026/thrupkaew

  30. United Nations. (2000). United Nations Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons. Available at: http://www.uncjin.org/Documents/Conventions/dcatoc/final_documents_2/convention_traf_eng.pdf

  31. UNDP. (2000). Cambodia HIV Vulnerability Mapping: Highways One and Five. United Nations Development Project. National Centre for HIV/AIDS, Dermatology and STD, Cambodia. ISBN: 974-68016-7-8. Available at: http://www.hiv-development.org/text/publications/Cambodia%20Mapping%20Land%20Transport.pdf

  32. UNIAP (2010). Human Trafficking: Sentinel Surveillance, Poipet, Cambodia, 2009–2010. United Nations Regional Management Office, Bangkok. United Nations Inter-Agency Project on Human Trafficking (UNIAP).

  33. UNICEF. (1995). The trafficking and prostitution of children in Cambodia: A situation report 1995. Phnom Penh: UNICEF Cambodia.

    Google Scholar 

  34. UNICEF. (1996). Towards a better future: An analysis of the situation of children and women in Cambodia. Bangkok: UNICEF Phnom Penh.

    Google Scholar 

  35. US Congress. Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000. Public Law 106–386, 106th Congress. Available at: http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=106_cong_public_laws&docid=f:publ386.106

  36. U.S. Department of State. (2001). Trafficking in Persons Report 2001. Available at: http://www.state.gov/g/tip/rls/tiprpt/2001/index.htm

  37. U.S. Department of State. (2011). Trafficking in Persons Report 2011. Available at: http://www.state.gov/g/tip/rls/tiprpt/2011/index.htm

  38. Weitzer, R. (2010). The mythology of prostitution: Advocacy research and public policy. Sexuality Research and Social Policy, 7, 15–29.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

Financial support for the 2002 study [25] was provided by the School of Communication, University of Miami. The United States Agency for International Development sponsored and financially supported the 2003 study [20]. The United Nations Inter-Agency Project on Human Trafficking in the Greater Mekong Sub-Region, and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, sponsored and financially supported the 2008 study, and published it in 2011 [24]. The assistance and financial support of these agencies is gratefully acknowledged.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Communication, University of Miami, P.O. Box 248127, Coral Gables, FL, 33124-2105, USA

    Thomas M. Steinfatt

Authors
  1. Thomas M. Steinfatt
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Thomas M. Steinfatt.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Steinfatt, T.M. Sex trafficking in Cambodia: fabricated numbers versus empirical evidence. Crime Law Soc Change 56, 443–462 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10611-011-9328-z

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10611-011-9328-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation