Child prostitution in AsiaChildren as chattel Close your eyes. Imagine a young 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 sales promises told her of wealth. Now imagine that this girl is yours. These are not nice thoughts, but these actions are commonplace 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 them under ten. Most people who hear these staggering statistics, like me, wonder why. There are many answers, and none of them can justify the sexual exploitation of children. Many tourists and locals believe 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 countries have promoted brothels by selling child pornography tours. Police also keep their information on brothels and pimps secret, making Asia a prime playground for pedophiles. Pedophiles who find their country's laws too strict can go to Asia and find themselves in the homes of young girls or boys. Lots of non-pedos...