Child prostitution in AsiaChildren as chattels Close your eyes. Imagine a girl of about six years old tied to a bed in a brothel and forced to serve fifteen to thirty men in one night. Imagine this girl living in poverty, after all the promises to sell herself spoke of wealth. Now imagine that this girl is yours. They're not nice ideas, but these actions are common in Asia. In the February 1995 issue of World & I, Christopher P. Baker discusses his findings in the article Kiddy Sex-Luring the Tourist for Love Beneath the Palms. In Asia, more than half of working prostitutes are under the age of 16, many of whom are under the age of ten. Most people who hear the shocking statistics, just like me, wonder why. There are many answers and none of them could justify the sexual exploitation of children. Many tourists and locals think that children will be less likely to carry the AIDS virus, which is a misconception. It is estimated that 72.4% of child prostitutes in Asia carry HIV. Many Asian men also believe that sex with a virgin will rejuvenate them and that sex with a virgin will cure venereal diseases. Many different countries have promoted brothels by selling child sex tours. Police also keep information on brothels and pimps under wraps, making Asia a major playground for pedophiles. Pedophiles who find their countries' laws too strict may go to Asia and find young girls or boys. Many of the non-pedophiles...