Prostitution in Kuwait is illegal,[1][2] but common.[3][4] Most of the prostitutes are foreign nationals.[3]

Law enforcement usually deports prostitutes or makes them sign a "good conduct pledge" before release. Those running prostitution rings normally receive jail sentences.[5] There are allegations that some police received bribes from brothels and warn them of upcoming raids.[4]

Different nationalities of prostitutes and their controlling pimps tend to be found in different areas. Filipinos in Ahmadi Governorate, Ethiopians in Hawalli Governorate, and Indians, Sri Lankans and Bangladeshis in Farwaniya Governorate and part of Salmiya. Indians and Chinese work the malls in Salmiya.[3] South Korean prostitutes also work in Kuwait.[6][7][8] There are also Arab and European prostitutes in the country.[3][4]

Brothels are known to exist in Al Jahra, Hawalli, Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh, Salmiya, Fahaheel, Fintas and Jabriya.[3]

Sex trafficking

See also: Human trafficking in Kuwait

Kuwait is a destination country for men and women subjected to forced prostitution. Kuwait's sponsorship law—which ties a migrant worker's legal residence and valid immigration status to an employer, restricts workers’ movements and penalises them for leaving abusive workplaces. Sources report runaway domestic workers are sometimes exploited in forced prostitution by agents or criminals, who manipulate their illegal status.[9]

In 2016, the government investigated six potential sex trafficking cases and prosecuted 15 suspects, compared to six cases investigated and 20 suspects prosecuted during the previous reporting period. Seven prosecutions from 2015 remained pending at the close of the reporting year. The government achieved nine convictions, including one Kuwaiti citizen—under the anti-trafficking law, on par with eight convictions the previous year; five accused traffickers were acquitted.[9]

The United States Department of State Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons ranks Kuwait as a 'Tier 2 Watch List' country.[9]

External links

References

  1. ^ "The Legal Status of Prostitution by Country". ChartsBin. Retrieved 22 January 2018.
  2. ^ "Women's Anti-Discrimination Committee Hears Replies to Experts' Questions From Bhutan, Kuwait". United Nations. 22 January 2004. Retrieved 22 January 2018.
  3. ^ a b c d e Ekeh, Chidi Emmanuel (21 June 2012). "Prostitution trade thrives in Kuwait". Africa Sustainable Energy & Environment Platform. Retrieved 22 January 2018.
  4. ^ a b c "HIV-infected citizen warns of 'imported prostitutes' - Kuwait has over 1,000 AIDS cases". Kuwait Times. 18 October 2015. Retrieved 22 January 2018.
  5. ^ Newman, general ed. Graeme R. (2010). Crime and punishment around the world. Santa Barbara, Calif.: ABC-CLIO. p. 308. ISBN 978-0313351334.
  6. ^ "South Korean Escorts Kuwait City Kuwait".
  7. ^ "North Korean Escorts Kuwait City Kuwait".
  8. ^ "Alina New Girl, escort".
  9. ^ a b c "Kuwait 2017 Trafficking in Persons Report". U.S. Department of State. Archived from the original on 3 July 2017. Retrieved 22 January 2018.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
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