Story originally published on November 10, 2014
A regional focal person for the
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Eastern Visayas reported
that more minors are being trafficked in Tacloban and neighboring areas that were
affected by Super Typhoon Yolanda. Many are being recruited to work in bars and
subjected to forced labor and prostitution. DSWD has rescued 50 victims, mostly
minors, since last November. In some cases, the children’s mothers have acted
as their pimps. Prostitution is a growing business in the area, where people
are desperate for money to rebuild after the typhoon. Local government leaders
are working to implement various measures to curb trafficking and prostitution
in the area.
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