SEA Games: foreign tourist surge to Philippines sees rising risk of sex trafficking

Organisers, the government and rights groups have been accused of not putting plans in place to address sexual exploitation

Women and children from China and Vietnam are also being trafficked, with many already rescued from hotspots close to Manila

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Young women dance on stage in a bar in the Angeles City red light district in the Philippines. Photo: Francesco Brembati

Published: 9:00am, 10 Dec 2019Updated: 12:56pm, 10 Dec 2019

Sixteen-year-old Julianne* was trafficked into the Philippine sex industry two years ago. She makes between US$40 and US$80 a week, which goes straight to her family of six.

As dusk falls and men flock to the bar where she works, she chews her nails nervously. The past week has been scarier than usual.

There has been a surge in foreign tourists to Angeles City, one of the 23 locations where the Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) are taking place this year. A total of 8,750 athletes from 11 countries are competing in 531 events over the course of 12 days.

Julianne’s bar manager has threatened to dock waitresses’ pay unless they accompany men back to their hotels.

A young woman is seen walking on Fields Avenue - a pedestrianised street in Angeles City's red light district. Photo: Francesco Brembati

Officials say thousands of women and children have faced or could be facing increased sexual abuse, with government agencies failing to protect them ahead of the games

SEA Games: foreign tourist surge to Philippines sees rising risk of sex trafficking

Organisers, the government and rights groups have been accused of not putting plans in place to address sexual exploitation Women and children from China and Vietnam are also being trafficked, with many already rescued from hotspots close to Manila

Organisers, the government and rights groups have been accused of not putting plans in place to address sexual exploitation

Women and children from China and Vietnam are also being trafficked, with many already rescued from hotspots close to Manila