Chapter 4 - Policy Examination of the Institutional Root Causes of Sex Work

Summary

ABSTRACT

This chapter emphasizes the discourse on the institutional construction of prostitution. I rationalize how institutional barriers to compliance with morality have to be addressed. These institutional barriers include bad governance, a weak law enforcement system, and the practice of corruption. I argue how the existence and prevalence of these institutional barriers worsen the socio-economic difficulties faced by those living in poverty and encourage the commitment to crimes, including entry into the sex industry. Upon unveiling how commercial sex activities are institutionally constructed and identifying existing, relevant institutional policy gaps, I suggest how disadvantaged populations at higher risks of engaging in commercial sex can be institutionally intervened and barred from the expression of immorality and delinquency. As a result, those who intend to work, or are already working, in the sex industry are hampered by engagement in sexual transactions.

INTRODUCTION

Addressing the socio-economic root causes of prostitution is essential, as such an approach helps disincentivize Indonesian women and girls from entering the sex industry. However, if there are significant institutional loopholes when governing people's behaviours, disciplines and morality (such as the discussion of the lack of e-regulation on the Internet to crack down on cyber-sex crime), organized sex crime groups can continue to exploit the loose regulatory, legislative, judiciary and law enforcement mechanism to arrange and deliver sex trafficking and prostitution activities (Awaludin 2019). Therefore, this chapter, in order to minimize Indonesian nationals’ violation of anti-extramarital sex, or specifically commercial sex, discusses how commercial sex is institutionally constructed. I then examine the relevant policies to understand how the formation of the institutional mechanism against sex work can be strengthened.

POOR GOVERNANCE, POVERTY AND SEX WORK

Indonesia ranks 130th in the globe, per the Human Development Index, indicating that poverty and inequalities are salient within the country (Antara News 2022). Thus far, this book examines and discusses how poverty, inequalities, a lack of human investment in the form of the distribution of education opportunities and engagement in sex work are interrelated. A primary reason leading to Indonesia's poor human development is the poor governance of the Indonesian government.