Prostitution
Prostitution in the Philippines
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A time for change
Introduction
A Jesuit priest was asked to write the foreword of a book that deals with prostitution and human trafficking in the Philippines. He wrote the following: A foreigner came to our country. Then, as so many foreigners cheerfully do, he published his first deep impressions. The last sentence of his article was sad. He said: “The tragedy of the Philippines is this: in one of the world’s loveliest countries, some of the world’s most beautiful girls are being sold for money to some of the world’s ugliest men.”
The priest, Fr. James Reuter, SJ, then made the point that when the trees are threatened people voice their indignation, when the fishing stocks are in danger then people protest, when land is sold unjustly then there is a surge of resentment but “when our beautiful girls are sold for money, the great rank and file of our people do not move.”
It is as if the reality of prostitution has been around for so long that nothing can be done. But the girls and children are worth much more than the fish, the trees and the land. Let us not presume that nothing can be done! At one time slavery was considered “normal” and inevitable even though it was unpleasant, yet it is now considered to be an injustice against human rights. Perhaps one day we will look back on prostitution in the same way.
What is prostitution?
Some definitions and descriptions such as “entertainment,” “se x work,” “hostessing,”
“world’s oldest profession” and “guest relations officer” are not helpful as they make prostitution invisible, legitimate, or trivial. Prostitution is actually the sale of persons, most often women and children, for profit and sexual gratification of another.
5
Prostitution is in fact a violation and exploitation of basic human rights and human dignity.
It takes advantage of vulnerable populations particularly women, children, and the poor
. Prostitution is
In the Philippine Anti-Prostitution
-
A time for change
Introduction
A Jesuit priest was asked to write the foreword of a book that deals with prostitution and human trafficking in the Philippines. He wrote the following: A foreigner came to our country. Then, as so many foreigners cheerfully do, he published his first deep impressions. The last sentence of his article was sad. He said: “The tragedy of the Philippines is this: in one of the world’s loveliest countries, some of the world’s most beautiful girls are being sold for money to some of the world’s ugliest men.”
The priest, Fr. James Reuter, SJ, then made the point that when the trees are threatened people voice their indignation, when the fishing stocks are in danger then people protest, when land is sold unjustly then there is a surge of resentment but “when our beautiful girls are sold for money, the great rank and file of our people do not move.”
It is as if the reality of prostitution has been around for so long that nothing can be done. But the girls and children are worth much more than the fish, the trees and the land. Let us not presume that nothing can be done! At one time slavery was considered “normal” and inevitable even though it was unpleasant, yet it is now considered to be an injustice against human rights. Perhaps one day we will look back on prostitution in the same way.
What is prostitution?
Some definitions and descriptions such as “entertainment,” “se x work,” “hostessing,”
“world’s oldest profession” and “guest relations officer” are not helpful as they make prostitution invisible, legitimate, or trivial. Prostitution is actually the sale of persons, most often women and children, for profit and sexual gratification of another.
5
Prostitution is in fact a violation and exploitation of basic human rights and human dignity.
It takes advantage of vulnerable populations particularly women, children, and the poor
. Prostitution is
In the Philippine Anti-Prostitution