Prostitution in Indonesia

Prostitution in Indonesia is legally considered a "crime against decency/morality", although it is widely practiced, tolerated and regulated. Some women are financially motivated to become prostitutes, while others may be forced by friends, relatives or strangers. Traditionally, they have met with customers in entertainment venues or special prostitution complexes, or Relokalisasi. There are 4 (four) types of prostitution in Indonesia: (a) Prostitutes who come from particular areas, (b) prostitution in their workpalce. (c) prostitution and life style, and (d) prostitution and the ritual beliefs (Koentjoro, 2011). However, recently internet forums and Facebook have been used to facilitate prostitute-client relations. Approximately 30 percent of prostitutes in Indonesia are children, and child sex tourism has become an issue at the resort islands of Batam and Bali.