Rise in teen prostitution

The Straits Times, 14 nov 2000

THE economic crisis has forced a record number of children onto the streets to earn a living.
Indonesia has also seen a dramatic increase in the number of teen prostitutes in the last three years.
The number of children dropping out of school has risen to 6.8 million.
The number of child workers (under 18 years) has doubled since the start of the crisis from 1.8 million to 3.6 million.
Every year since the crisis began, some 150,000 children under 18 become prostitutes, said Mr Yaumil Agoes Achir, the vice-presidential adviser on people's welfare.
Almost half of Indonesia's 500,000 prostitutes are under 18 years of age, and as many as 50,000 would be under 16 years old, said Dr Irwanto from the Centre for Societal Development and Studies of the Atma Jaya Catholic University.

--Marianne Kearney