Prostitution in the Dominican Republic

Prostitution in the Dominican Republic is legal, but a third party may not derive financial gain from prostitution (brothels or similar establishments are illegal).[1] However, the government usually does not enforce prostitution laws.[2][3]

The Dominican Republic has gained a reputation of being a major destination for international sex tourism, although it is mostly concentrated in the poorest coastal towns of the country, namely Las Terrenas, Cabarete, Sosua, and Boca Chica.[1]

Child prostitution is a problem, particularly in some urban areas and popular tourist destinations,[4][5] but there has been a decrease in child prostitution since 2001, with the increase in policing and the decrease in corruption.[6][7] According to newspaper reports there are about 30,000 children and adolescents involved in the sex industry.[7][8] The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement has started prosecuting individuals who are engaging in child prostitution.[9]

The prevalence of HIV/AIDS in the Dominican Republic is estimated to be 0.7 percent, among the lowest rates in the Caribbean region. However, the percentage among sex workers is estimated to be much higher, ranging from 2.5% to 12.4%, depending on the locale.[10]

See also

Prostitution in Haiti

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "2008 Human Rights Report: Dominican Republic". Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. U.S. Department of State.
  2. ↑ "2009 Human Rights Report: Dominican Republic". State.gov. 2010-03-11. Retrieved 2013-10-12.
  3. ↑ Julia Scheeres. "The Web, Where 'Pimps' Roam Free". Wired.com. Retrieved 2013-10-12.
  4. ↑ "Sex, tourism and HIV. A hazardous association in the Dominican Republic". NLM Gateway.
  5. ↑ "Sex Tourism in Latin America". Harvard University.
  6. ↑ "Situation of minors in the dominican republic". Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Child Sex Tourism in the Dominican Republic" (PDF). ECPAT.
  8. ↑ "Child Sex Tourism in the Dominican RepublicDominican Child Prostitutes Draw Alarm". Associated Press.
  9. ↑ "USVI predator pleads guilty to sex tourism charges following ICE investigation". U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
  10. ↑ "The Sun. The Sand. The Sex". Science.