by Zhelle Capindo
According to Sol F.
Juvida in Philippines - Children: Scourge of Child Prostitution, “The
Philippines ranks 4th among nine nations with the most number of children in
prostitution (60,000 to 100,000 as of 1997), with Metro Manila, Angeles City,
Puerto Galera in Mindoro Province, Davao and Cebu as the top five areas for
child prostitution and sex tourism.”
Isn’t it sad to see
that a country like ours which is known as the only Christian country in Asia is also among those who top the list of countries
where prostitution is prevalent? Ironic it seems, right? Not only that. A
report from Coalition Against Trafficking of Women Asia-Pacific states
that “there are around 400,000 to 500,000 prostituted persons in the country
that include women, some male, transvestites and children.”2 In a video clip entitled Prostitution in the Philippines: Finding a Way Out,
the reporter said that: “There are over 5,000 prostitutes in Quezon City alone.”3
Why is prostitution rampant in our country despite the fact
that it is illegal? Are those people peddling flesh in the streets, taxis, bars,
hotels, and even parks merely forced into the flesh trade or they are there on
their own decision? But why when they surely are aware of its consequences?
Causes of Prostitution
Studies show different causes why people are into
prostitution. In R. Barri Flowers’ Prostitution in the Digital Age: Selling
Sex From the Suite to the Street,
he mentioned several theories of the causes of prostitution such as biological,
psychological, sociological, economic, and the ones which we commonly think of
as what drives people into prostitution are what he calls “correlates” of
prostitution like sexual abuse, substance abuse, sexual orientation/gender
identity, survival sex, sexual slavery, and sexual adventure and promiscuity.
Needless to say, poverty (plus perhaps the desire to earn
money in a fast and easy way) is one of the prime reasons why prostitution is
widespread in our country. For countless times, I have seen and heard reports about
women from provinces being recruited to work in big cities like Manila as
household helpers but when they reached the city they are prostituted,
often times without the knowledge of their parents or families. Some would try
to escape but sadly, others will soon give in and continue in the flesh trade
in their own volition (but still under the supervision or control of their
pimps) as it allows them to earn much which they usually send back home to
support the needs of their families, or to help send siblings to school, or
for the medications of ailing parents, but there are cases also that those
individuals being prostituted are not well compensated.
Solutions to
Prostitution
Some of the solutions to prostitution as suggested by the
Philippine Commission on Women are the following: (1) redefine prostitution,
(2) target the demand side; criminalize
those who exploit people in prostitution, (3) decriminalize women in prostitution;
regard them as victims not criminals, (4) define person exploited in prostitution
or a prostituted person, and (5) establish support mechanisms
for prostituted persons to get out of the system of prostitution.
We certainly are not unaware that our country has laws
against prostitution which can aid in working out those suggestions given above
but we are equally aware that because our government is not consistent and persistent
enough to implement its laws, prostitution is becoming a widespread business in
the country. It is even becoming a “tourist attraction,” sad to say. However,
we can still be thankful that in some parts of the country, government officials
are determined to help solve the problems on prostitution. In the video
clip you can see below, the reporter mentioned and I quote:
“In 2005, Quezon City passed an ordinance protecting
prostituted women from arrests. After
six years of visiting the streets, the ordinance is finally fully implemented
today. Now, police arrests the pimps and patrons instead of the prostitutes. Streetwalkers of Cubao say, “Cases of abuse have decreased significantly.”5
Aside from the government, there are several non-government organizations (NGO's), private advocates, or Christian organizations (like the Coalition Against Trafficking of Women in Asia-Pacific and Samaritana Transformation Ministries, Inc.) that help prostituted individuals to get out of the flesh trade. Nevertheless, it is not realistic to think that we can eradicate prostitution in just a short span of time since it has already rooted deep into the system of our society. Or perhaps it may not even realistic to think that it can be totally eradicated. Even Christianity or the Church knows that it is a problem with no “one size fits all” solution. It is a problem that needs special care and attention, effort, time, money, determination, faith, and grace.
The Role of the
Church
So, where can the church be in the picture now? What do we
do to help those people in the flesh trade get out of their unethical and
immoral way of living? Do we even care to reach out to them?
We have seen in Jesus’ ministry how He treated people whom
the community labelled as “sinners” such as the tax collectors, prostitutes, and
adulterers. He did not condemn them but advised them to “go and sin no more”
(John 8:11 ). He dined with
them and took time to minister to them (Matt. 9:10 -13); an act which the Pharisees considered as improper
so they were resentful seeing Jesus spending time with people whom they condemn
as “sinners.” But Jesus rebuked them and told them, "It is not those who
are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick” (Matt. 9:12).
Prostitution cannot be stopped overnight but it is surely
not a helpless, hopeless case. Jesus Himself expressed great hope in sinners
and prostitutes being saved when He said:
“Truly I say to you that the tax collectors
and prostitutes will get into the kingdom of God
One small step of reaching out to them may make a great
change in their lives and ours. So, let's get involved. How? Let us ask the
Lord to open up avenues where we can minister to people in the commercial sex
industry. But the questions are: Are we willing to get out of our comfort zones
into the streets? Are we willing to welcome them in our churches? Are we
comfortable having them in our worship services? If not, then we should start
praying for ourselves first; that we will stop acting like the Pharisees and
start imitating what Jesus did - reach
out to the "sinners" with love and compassion -
which may mean going an extra mile if we are really determined to take
them out from darkness into the saving knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Sol. F. Juvida, “Philippines - Children: Scourge of
Child Prostitution,” IPS, 12 October 1997 , in Philippine Commission on
Women: National Machinery for Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment, Anti-Prostitution
Bill, http://pcw.gov.ph/anti-prostitution-bill (accessed July 26, 2013 ).
2 Philippine Commission on Women: National Machinery for Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment, Prostitution Bill, http://pcw.gov.ph/anti-prostitution-bill (accessed
3 YouTube, Prostitution in the Philippines: Finding a Way Out, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqE7g-sOAb4
(accessed July 26, 2013 ).
4 R. Barri Flowers, Prostitution in the Digital Age: Selling Sex From the Suite to the Street (
5 YouTube, Prostitution in the Philippines: Finding a Way Out, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqE7g-sOAb4 (accessed
I think, the most common cause of prostitution is money but it's not just because of poverty but they want to be rich within a short time. The people who starts it as a business or who are using people for sex tourism and who are voluntarily involves are equal responsible for causing it. The church is responsible for it but government should have specific rules for finding the victimers not the victims.
ReplyDeleteYou are right. The government has to do something about it. Sadly, they are not doing their job well :-(
DeleteAs early as Genesis 34 was the word "prostitute" mentioned. We know well that prostitution is an aged-old social problem that defiled women, men and children, ruined marriages and relationships and destroyed the life of the people who were into it. It has deeply rooted into the veins of our distorted and perverted society. But I agree with the above article in saying that people who are into it are not helpless and hopeless. I believe that God is in the business of transforming the life of people, even prostitutes. And as members of the Body of Christ, we have an important role to play. We are to emulate the example of Jesus in treating prostitutes. He never isolated himself from them but instead spent time with them and built relationship with them in a way that he would be able to talk and relate with them. After all, he said that he came not for the righteous but for sinners who need redemption and deliverance from the bondage of sins. We can also put it into practical application by intentionally reaching out to those who have been victims of prostitution (example those who are in prison, orphanages and under the care of government agencies) by holding visitations and activities that may point them to the source of hope who is Jesus. Evangelism and discipleship will be done and we entrust to God how He will transform these people. Another way to help them is to provide means for them to meet their financial needs as we know that poverty is the main reason why people engaged into prostitution. We may help them to go back to school through ALS, take some courses, provide livelihood training and a lot more. Simply put, it is the Body of Christ known as intentionally and actively helping out these people who were once in the darkness with nothing but helplessness and despair, to bring them to God who alone can redeem them.
ReplyDeleteWell said, Zion. It is vital to help those people who decided to get out of prostitution by providing adequate means of living. Most of the time, those who quit prostitution struggle with how to cope up with life and with the expensive lifestyle the got used to since prostitution can enable them to earn in just a night or two what they would earn for a month in a regular/decent job. Let's just hope and pray that the government and those organizations, and even the church, that are reaching out to people in the commercial sex industry will major on how to help them earn enough money to sustain them so that they will not be tempted to resolve to going back to prostitution again.
DeleteAustralia also has prostitution, and unfortunately many Australian men visit Asian countries to become patrons there.
ReplyDeleteI think the bible is clear on the issue - we love the person and provide for their physical and spiritual needs.
First and foremost, those in prostitution need a way out. This can only be done through relationships. Christians can build friendships, and then slowly help women find other means of employment. There is no quick answer or solution, but there is a need for Christians to reach out in love to the hurting.
Jannah Cooper
Thanks Jannah Cooper ^_^
DeleteI agree with you that Christians should build friendships first hoping that in due time, those people in prostitution will trust us and believe that we are sincere in helping them. Absolutely, there is no quick solution but our hope rests in God that as we do our best, He will do the rest - those things that are beyond our capacity or control.
What a very nice topic! Sad to say, in the Philippines, the parents themselves are the one forcing their children to do prostitution! I think the main reason is all about poverty. People who do prostitution are poor,no stable jobs, and uneducated person as what I have observed in my surroundings. To help them stop doing prostitution, I think we must not just to understand them but help them avoid in doing so. We can educate them through outreach,sharing the Word of God in the community, doing seminars for them,counseling, and many more. Of course we can help them by giving jobs for them as well that will suit to their daily needs. The government, the church, and even the common people in the society, all have a big part for a great difference in others' lives!
ReplyDeleteYeah, sad but true. Some parents allow their children to be prostituted in exchange for money :-(
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteProstitution is a vile business. The prostitute and the prostitute-user disgust God by their degrading and destructive activities. Yet God loves them still, and would spare them the hell they deserve. This is his grace, his unspeakable, unstinting, undeserved kindness. Let God’s people declare that grace as loudly as they deplore the sin that makes the grace necessary. And let the prostitute and the prostitute-user see their sin so that they may see their need for grace, and receive it in repentance and faith to the glory of God.
ReplyDeleteEdwin Bariuan
Prostitution is one of the results of sin.The government tries to provide the felt needs of the prostitutes in order for them to stop from prostitution, but the church has given the power and authority by the Lord Jesus to provide the real needs of man. He commissions the church to bring transformation in the family and in the community by making disciples.
ReplyDeleteLeon Estacio
The government and the church must work hand in hand to this ancient problem and seek common ground how to solve it, by doing their part.
ReplyDeleteYes, this is but one of the major issues that evangelical churches need to face. I do agree with this statement: Prostitution: Prevalent but not a Helpless, Hopeless Case. Of course, this issue is not a helpless nor a hopeless case. However, the question that each one needs to think and rethink is this: After knowing this reality, are Christians ready to reach out to these individuals? Judging them is the easiest way to do. Readiness is somewhat another issue here. And when the church is ready, patience in dealing with them is what each one needs. Remember, there's no "instant" because there is always a process. If you want to see your contacts transformed into godly individuals, wait and see God's working hands.
ReplyDeleteAs long as there is poverty, prostitution is inevitable. It doesn't matter if it is legal or illegal. Personally I would rather see these people protected by the government, than the underground. But that's just my opinion, because in the end our job as followers of Christ is to draw them out from prostitution and into God's provision and protection.
ReplyDeleteP.S. I have friends, who are involved in a ministry that specializes on prostitutes. So if you feel God is burdening you to help, I can refer you to them.
This prevalent issue is so detrimental to woman's moral and more so to God's purpose and design on His creation. Amidst this reality, it comforts and gives me hope to know that many women have already been rescued from this wicked business; who are now establishing an organization who help women to be set free and totally leave the business as well. Yes, these are but a few of millions of prostitute being saved one at a time. And we can take part of it by simply praying for them and the those, individuals and organizations, who are helping and ministering to them. Even if it isn't popular to do so, lets follow Christ's example in reaching out to them; having in mind God's love and that they are also our Judea and Samaria!
ReplyDeleteRoshan Nepali.
ReplyDeletethank you sister for awakening us by the burning problem in the society, this is the measure problem not only in Philippines but also in other country too. there are some who want to live that kind of life, some involved in this kind of business because it is a easy way of earning and for some the situation compel them to work as a prostitute. we all realize that we can't completely irrigate still then we can make some changes if the government and NGOs give them Job and give STI (sexual transmitted infections) education. until they know it they will not stop involving in such business.
Prostitution is a choice.
ReplyDeleteIt is one's choice, you are countable of what you do.
We are given 'free will' by God
We must be wise of doing what is right.