Shock in Taiwan: Mother forces 12-year-old into prostitution in Japan!

Shock in Taiwan: Mother forces 12-year-old into prostitution in Japan!

A shocking case of child abuse and human trafficking is currently plaguing Taiwanese and Thai authorities. On November 8, 2023, a Thai woman was arrested on suspicion of forcing her 12-year-old daughter into prostitution at a massage parlor in Tokyo. This arrest shines a bright light on the increasing problems of human trafficking, particularly in the Asian region - an issue that is also of high importance in Thailand.

The mother, who traveled to Taiwan in September 2023, had already brought her daughter to Japan in June. The girl was supposed to work there in the gender sector, but was forced into prostitution. According to reports from the Asahi Shimbun, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department reported the rescue of the girl, who has since been taken into protective custody because she is considered a victim of human trafficking. Police took the mother into custody after her arrest in New Taipei City for overstaying her visa.

The shocking course

The girl told the police department that her mother worked in the sex industry in Singapore and Taiwan while living in Japan. She spent most of her time with her grandparents in Thailand and had little contact with her mother. These circumstances show how confusing and tragic the living situation of many children in Thailand is. Thai authorities had already asked their Taiwanese counterparts for assistance in searching for the mother, which ultimately led to her arrest on November 7th.

According to reports, the girl had served around 60 customers between June and July. All of the girl's earnings went to the owner of the massage parlor in Japan, with the mother receiving the proceeds after deducting the salon's share. It remains to be seen what will happen to the girl and the mother; they are expected to be returned to the Thai police.

The background of human trafficking

This case is part of a much larger problem. According to ADRA, human trafficking remains a major challenge in Thailand. In many families, everyone, especially single mothers, is fighting for survival. An ultimate story of fate is that of Pin, who grew up in a family in which the roots of poverty and violence are deeply rooted. Her older sister was kidnapped as part of “bride kidnapping” – a practice that has still not been completely eradicated.

Pin's path to a safe life only became possible after the intervention of a pastor and the organization ADRA, which helped her get protection and education. Such stories illustrate the dramatic challenges faced by many in the region and the need for greater protections for vulnerable minors.

The events of the past few days illustrate the urgent need for education and help for people caught in such threatening situations. Cooperation between the Thai and Taiwanese authorities is a step in the right direction, but more efforts are needed to prevent such tragic fates and to give affected children a future.