While past studies have explored the situation of adult migrant and Mainland Chinese sex workers with respect to violence, migration, working conditions, occupational safety and trafficking, very little is known about trafficking of young local sex workers and minors in Hong Kong. Between late 2019 to 2020, STOP interviewed 7 former part-time girlfriends and 14 stakeholders to understand more about the work conditions of female local youth sex workers in Hong Kong.
過去研究傾向關注來自外地與中國大陸嘅成年性工作者,佢哋移民同工作嘅處境、職業安全、遭受暴力及販運嘅問題,比較少有留意到香港青少年及本地性工作者。2019-2020年間,STOP訪問咗7個PTGF同14個持份者,想了解本地年輕性工作者嘅工作狀況。
Through this project, we hope to capture a holistic picture of young people’s experiences, including both their vulnerability and resiliences to exploitation in the HK sex trade, and potential intersections with human trafficking. It also seeks to prioritise young people’s voices, and provide a space for them to speak about their needs and hopes for the future.
今次計劃入面,我哋希望能夠捕捉到青少年從事性服務嘅完整面貌,面對性行業可能有嘅剝削同人口販運,佢哋呈現出嘅堅韌同脆弱。放大年輕嘅聲音,畀空間年輕本地性工作者去表達佢哋現時嘅需要,同對將來嘅盼望。
As we see the vulnerabilities of exploited people, it is important that we respect and acknowledge sex workers’ autonomy and self-agency. While STOP has assisted a numbers of forced prostitution cases involving migrant women tricked or coerced to work in Hong Kong, there are plenty of sex workers by choice. How do local youths enter the compensated dating scene? We spoke with seven young PTGFs who offered sexual services and had entered the industry before the age of 24.
站在免於剝削嘅角度,尊重性工作者自主權,同反人口販運一樣咁重要。不少性工作者自願入行,而STOP喺前線仍見到有來自海外嘅女性被強迫來到香港從事性行業。到底進入援交行列嘅本地年輕人係點?我哋同七位提供收費性服務嘅PTGF傾過,了解佢哋在24歲或之前進入行業嘅經驗。
Before entering the industry, majority of interviewees had the impression that PTGF work is ‘simple’, ‘easy’, and a way to earn ‘quick money’. When asked how their opinions about the industry have changed after working in it, more than half have acquired a less favourable view. What has caused the change?
入行之前,大部份受訪者對於兼職女友呢份工嘅印象,都係「簡單」、「容易」,一個賺「快錢」嘅方法。但入行之後,超過半數受訪者對行業無之前睇得咁正面。係乜野令到呢個轉變?
Workers in the sex industry are commonly exposed to various forms of exploitation and violence. As sex workers in Hong Kong can only work independently by law, they are left with no choice but to handle risky situations alone. In turn, many have developed their own set of self-protection strategies. We have compiled a list of ‘self-defense principles’ shared by our interviewees.
性工作或多或少經歷過不同程度嘅剝削同暴力。而由於法例所限,從事性行業嘅人只可以獨自面對可能出現嘅危險。因此,好多性工作者都有一套開工保護自己嘅方法。我哋整合咗各個受訪者分享嘅開工自衛術,即刻睇片了解更多啦!
When it comes to regulations on the sex industry in Hong Kong, whose interests and morals do policymakers protect? As a strong believer of worker-led policy reforms, STOP asked interviewees to share their thoughts on present policies.
性行業管制,到底保障緊邊個?既然要由從業員出發,STOP就問咗受訪嘅PTGF,點睇現時有關性行業嘅政策。
“並非每個年輕性工作者都被剝削,但由於當前法律不足以保障她們,這工作會令她們曝露於被剝削的危機當中。
NOT ALL YOUNG SEX WORKERS ARE EXPLOITED. HOWEVER, AS EXISTING POLICIES ARE INADEQUATE TO PROVIDE PROTECTION, ENGAGEMENT IN THIS LINE OF WORK EXPOSES THEM TO EXPLOITATION RISKS”
我們衷心感謝所有受訪性工作者,儘管受疫情影響下困難重重,仍願付出時間,與我們無私分享經歷與見解。也感激參與此份計劃,和我們交流看法和專業知識的持分者。
此計劃得以完成,有賴多位人士及機構的協助:
Rights Exposure ——————— 研究顧問
青躍 ——————— 合作機構
岑俊達博士 ——————— 義務學術顧問
李紫媚博士 ——————— 義務學術講者 (研究訪問員訓練)
Suzanne Wong, Yanyan Chan ——————— 研究訪問員
陳詠欣 ——————— 撰文者
劉玉梅 ——————— 攝影師
Our heartfelt thanks to all of the sex workers who gave their time despite the challenges of the pandemic, and so generously shared with us about their lives and insights. We are deeply grateful also to all stakeholders who participated in this project for sharing their perspectives and expertise.
This project would not have been possible without the help of various individuals and organizations:
Rights Exposure ——————— Research Consultant
Teen’s Key ——————— Partner Organization
Dr Terence Shum ——————— pro bono Academic Consultant
Dr Li Chi-mei ——————— pro bono Academic Speaker (Research Interviewer Training)
Suzanne Wong, Yanyan Chan ——————— Research Interviewers
Eugene Chan ——————— Author of Articles
Carol Lau ——————— Photographer
LEARN MORE
First time here? Scroll down to calculate your Slavery Footprint.
If you are new to the issue of slavery in our consumer products, you can start by clicking here to calculate your Slavery Footprint.
‘What? Slaves work for me?’
Start with a 1-minute boiled-down explanation of the problem and what we can do about it.
‘Find out. Take the survey.’
This survey takes about 15–20 minutes. As it asks you to count the items you own, like the number of clothes in your closet, it is easiest to do it at home.
For more information specifically about slavery in the Fashion Industry and what we can do about it, click on one of the links below.
MODERN SLAVERY IN THE FASHION INDUSTRY
THREE COMMON MYTHS ABOUT SHOPPING SUSTAINABLY
SEVEN TIPS FOR SHOPPING SUSTAINABLY
First time here? Scroll down to calculate your Slavery Footprint.
If you are new to the issue of slavery in our consumer products, you can start by clicking here to calculate your Slavery Footprint.
‘What? Slaves work for me?’
Start with a 1-minute boiled-down explanation of the problem and what we can do about it.
‘Find out. Take the survey.’
This survey takes about 15–20 minutes. As it asks you to count the items you own, like the number of clothes in your closet, it is easiest to do it at home.
AS A CONSUMER, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO KNOW WHETHER THE BRAND YOU SUPPORT ALIGNS WITH YOUR ETHICS AND VALUES. IF YOUR FAVORITE BRAND HASN’T PROVIDED TRANSPARENCY ON THE PRODUCTION PROCESS YET, IT IS TIME TO GIVE IT A PUSH.
Dear ____,
I have been a fan for your brand for ___ years. I have committed to shop responsibly and sustainably. I hope your brand match with my ethical believe on:
Regarding the supply chain of your brand, I would like to know:
Looking forward to your reply!
Yours sincerely,
(Name)
For more information specifically about slavery in the Food Industry and what we can do about it, click on one of the links below.
MODERN SLAVERY IN THE COCOA & COFFEE INDUSTRIES
THE STORY BEHIND ETHICAL PRODUCTION THREE LOCAL SUSTAINABLE BRANDS