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Publications

At What Price, Honour?: Research into domestic trafficking of Vietnamese (girl) children for sexual exploitation, from slums in Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Chab Dai. 2006.

The major risk factors that enhance the likelihood of a child being sold for sexual exploitation among ethnic Vietnamese communities in Cambodia surveyed in this research are: crisis/extra-ordinary expenses; debt; the phenomenon of ‘normalisation’; materialism; family honour; and cultural perceptions of the value/place of women. The research also considers the extent to which the social context may bear some responsibility for the ‘epidemic’ of sale of children for sexual exploitation. Amongst the communities surveyed, the research suggests that nearly half of families sell a child for sex and that more families consider this as an option. It appears that under-age girls are more likely to be sold for virginity (then return home), than sold into longer-term prostitution/brothel work.

The research reports a high level of awareness among children and adults about the presence of trafficking, and prostitution more generally. Many children expressed that they felt themselves in danger of being sold or otherwise forced into involvement in the sex trade.

Available Downloads

At What Price, Honour? Part 1

At What Price, Honour? Part 2

At What Price, Honour? Part 3