Sex trafficking in Timor-Leste

Children,[2] persons in poverty, and migrants are particularly vulnerable to sex trafficking.

[3] They suffer from physical and psychological trauma[3] and are typically guarded and or locked up in poor conditions.

[2] The government of Timor-Leste has been criticized for its inadequate anti-sex trafficking initiatives.

[2] In the 2000s and 2010s, men in the peacekeeping force of the United Nations Integrated Mission in East Timor, which assisted police and took part in prostitution raids, were accused of taking part in prostitution[4] It was alleged they frequented brothels, including those using trafficked women.

[5] There were also allegations that a ship chartered by the UN was being used to traffic children for prostitution in the country.

Citizen and foreign victims are sex trafficked into and out of the municipalities of Timor-Leste . They are raped and physically and psychologically harmed in locations within these administrative divisions.