Violence Against Sex Workers
Violence against sex workers is a complex issue.There is no standard definition for violence against sex workers as sex workers face different issues from various parties.
However, there are laws in place to protect sex workers from harm and exploitation – such as under the Women’s Charter, Penal Code, Protection from Harassment Act and Prevention from Human Trafficking Act.
Sex worker is not illegal, but many activities related to sex work are, such as managing a brothel and living off the earnings of prostitution. These are part of the broader set of laws to protect sex workers from harm and exploitation.
Sex workers are susceptible to:
1. Harassment, not respecting the privacy of the sex workers
2. Physical assault, use of physical violence towards the sex worker
3. Financial violence i.e. not getting paid for services, theft and the use of counterfeit money
4. Clients’ refusal to use a condom
The list above is not exhaustive.
If you are/suspect a sex worker is experiencing violence, you may contact Project X to speak to their case workers.
If you are a sex worker suffering from violence you should report it to the police.
Non-governmental organisation, Project X, also provides counselling, legal services and referrals to social services for sex workers. Contact them at +65 9060 9906 or email projectx.sg@gmail.com.
- Show empathy to the victim. Listen and do not judge. Validate their feelings and experiences. This gives them emotional support.
- Suggest organisations that can help them such as the police or Project X but let them decide what to do next. Do not make decisions for them or force them into a decision.
- Offer to accompany them to the police or other organisations.
- Continue to check in on them.
- StreetSmart Initiative mobile legal clinic by Project X and Law Society (contact Project X
to find out where and when) - Project X legal workshop to know sex worker rights (contact them to find out more)
- Law Society’s Criminal Legal Aid Scheme
In 2019, there were 119 vice abettors arrested by the Police for Women’s Charter offences for their various roles in exploiting women in prostitution.
Refer to section on Trafficking in Persons for more statistics
Sex Trafficking
Sex trafficking is a type of human trafficking along with children trafficking and trafficking for forced labour.
The Singapore law defines participation in human trafficking as recruiting, transporting, transferring, harbouring or receiving an individual for the purpose of exploitation. This can be by means of:
- Threat or use of force, or any other form of coercion
- Abduction
- Fraud or deception
- Abuse of power
- Abuse of the individual’s vulnerability
- Payments/Benefits to obtain consent from the person having control over another person
Signs of someone being sex trafficked includes:
1. Living/travelling in a group, sometimes with people who do not speak the same language
2. Moving from one brothel to another or work in various locations
3. Sleep where they work
4. Being escorted whenever they go to and return from work and other activities
5. Bearing tattoos or marks indicating ownership by exploiters
6. Working long hours and have none or few days off
7. Having very few items of clothing
8. Not holding cash of their own
9. Only knowing how to say sex-related words in the local language
10. No right to refuse unprotected and/or violent sex
If you suspect a case of human trafficking, you can report it to
| Police | 6435 0000 SPF_Report_Trafficking@spf.gov.sg |
| Ministry of Manpower | 6438 5122 mom_fmmd@mom.gov.sg |
Hagar is an non-governmental/profit organisation targeting human trafficking. Hagar provides counselling, case management, empowerment through literacy and skills training, and assists to resettle survivors back in their home countries.
Laws regarding sex trafficking:
| Prevention of Human Trafficking Act (PHTA) | Trafficking is considered an offence. Offenders will be imprisoned and caned. Section 19(1) states that victims may be given temporary shelter and counselling services depending on their case. |
| Women’s Charter | Any person found trafficking women or girls, may face a maximum jail term of up to seven years and a maximum fine of $100,000 |
Refer here for legal clinics you can turn to for advice
79% of all global trafficking is for sexual exploitation. In the southeast asian region alone, UNICEF estimates that there are over one million children victimised by the sex industry, (ECPAT).
Since the enactment of PHTA in 2015, Police have investigated into a total of 134 case of alleged sex trafficking between 2015 and 2019.
According The Straits Times (2019),
| Year | Cases Prosecuted under the PHTA | Number of successful convictions |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 4 | 0 |
| 2016 | 1 | 3 |
| 2017 | 0 | 1 |
| 2018 | 2 | 0 |
| 2019 | 2 | 1 |