Prostitution in Jamaica is illegal but widely tolerated. [1]
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Female prostitutes solicit from their homes or join customers in their hotel rooms or private homes. A number of prostitutes dance in adult night clubs and a percentage of them are from other countries. These imported prostitutes work in the more sophisticated night clubs in Kingston, which cater mainly to tourists, foreign workers, diplomats and affluent locals. Other clubs have mostly local prostitutes, some of whom have regular day jobs.[2]
Massage parlours in Jamaica sometimes operate as fronts for brothels. These are well advertised in local pornographic magazines and in official newspapers.
Gay prostitutes can be found working in hotels as entertainment coordinators. Blatant male prostitution is rare; the homophobic nature of the country makes male prostitutes generally conduct their business in more subtle ways. Still, some male prostitutes have been seen soliciting in the streets.
In the tourist areas of Montego Bay and Ochio Rios, prostitutes, and other citizens, sometimes solicit themselves in the hopes of gaining a connection via their client, with whom they will later travel, to a First World country. Sexual favors are often the result and money will be exchanged. Some of these result in long-term relationships.
Economic difficulties and social pressures contribute to the prevalence of child prostitution. A 2001 study funded by ILO-IPEC found that children as young as 10 years old engage in prostitution catering to tourists. Young girls are hired by “go-go” clubs or massage parlors. Children are trafficked internally for sexual exploitation.[3] Street children engage in prostitution.
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