We’ve come to our last stop in the “Where is Escorting Legal?” series. We
know it’s been a long ride and not a very fun one for many of you, but for the
newly starting escorts, these are crucial pieces of information and they will
also act as a foundation for when we talk about loopholes and disclaimers, and
how to best stay away from legal trouble. So, without any further ado: the last
stop on our tour:
Asia-Pacific Region – Where it’s
legal and where it’s not:
1. Afghanistan – sex outside
marriage is still very much illegal, and prisons in Afghanistan are full of
women who were charged for having sex unmarried. Sentences range from 5 to 15
years in prison. As such, you can imagine, prostitution, brothel ownership and
pimping are all illegal here.
2. Armenia – Prostitution is
very much legal and so is sex tourism. Yerevan, the country’s capital, holds
the largest number of sex workers in the country. Brothel ownership and pimping
are illegal, however.
3. Australia – The law here
varies with each state. Some have decriminalized prostitution, brothel
ownership and pimping; some have regulated them heavily, while others still
consider them criminal activities.
a. Australian Capital Territory – Since
1992, brothels and agencies are required to register with the authorities.
There are no limits to number of workers or rooms, but street work is illegal.
b. New South Wales – Since 1988,
prostitution is legal, and brothel placement is handles by local authorities.
Pimping, however, is illegal.
c. Northern Territory – Escort agencies
are required to apply for a license in order to operate their business, but
independent escorts can operate unregulated. Brothels and street work are
illegal.
d. Queensland – Prostitution is legal and
not significantly regulated, but advertising as an escort is prohibited.
Pimping is illegal and the only associate an independent escort can have is a
bodyguard. Brothels are legal and regulated, but brothels do risk being declared
prohibited individually by local authorities.
e. South Australia – Every form of
prostitution is illegal here.
f. Tasmania – All forms of prostitution
are illegal.
g. Victoria – Street work is illegal, but
brothels of up to six rooms are legal and registered under local authorities.
However, some larger brothels that existed prior to the six room act of 1994
are still operating legally today.
h. Western Australia – Prostitution is
illegal here, but brothels are tolerated by the local authorities.
4. Bangladesh – Female
prostitutes older than 18-years-old are legal, but male prostitution is
illegal. Brothel ownership and pimping are also legal.
5. Cambodia – All three
forms, prostitution, brothel ownership and pimping, are illegal here.
6. Canada – Interestingly
enough, selling sex in Canada is legal, but buying sexual services is not as of
2014. Clients face charges of up to five years in prison and a fine of $500
minimum. Brothel ownership is legal, but pimping is illegal.
7. China – Prostitution is
illegal, except in Taiwan, where it was legalized in 2009. Brothel ownership
and pimping are illegal as well.
8. India – Prostitution is
legal, but street work is not. Just avoid public spaces and you should be
perfectly fine. Brothel ownership and pimping are both illegal.
9. Indonesia – Prostitution,
brothel ownership and pimping are simply not defined in the law in Indonesia,
so you can’t really say that they’re legal or illegal. The practices are
common, but local authorities can sometimes enforce their power under the
charge of “crime against decency”.
10. Japan – Only forms of
prostitution that involve coitus are illegal in Japan; non-coital sex acts are
all perfectly legal. Brothel ownership and pimping are illegal, however.
11. Malaysia – While
prostitution itself is not a criminal act, soliciting prostitution is
prohibited. Brothel ownership and pimping are also illegal.
12. New Zealand –
Prostitution was legalized in 2003 for all citizens 18+. Brothel ownership is
also legal and owners must be at least 18-years-old, must apply with the local
authorities and be a citizen of New Zealand or Australia. The only applications
that are denied are those of former convicts. There are no laws against
pimping.
13. North Korea – No. Just
no. It’s all illegal here. And scary.
14. Peru – Prostitution and
brothel ownership are both legal, but living off of a sex worker’s earnings
(pimping) is illegal.
15. Philippines – While
prostitution, brothel ownership and pimping are illegal, there are many sex
workers working from local bars that can register with local authorities. They
must get regular health examinations.
16. Singapore – There are
many legal red-light districts. Sex workers must be over 18-years-old and must
undergo regular medical check-ups. Brothel ownership is also legal, but pimping
is not.
17. South Korea –
Prostitution became illegal in 1948. Brothel owners risk up to 10 years in
prison and pimping is also illegal.
18. Thailand – It’s all
illegal in Thailand.
And there it is, the fifth episode in the “Where is escorting legal”
series. Thanks for sticking to the boring legal ride, everyone! We’ll be
spicing it up the rest of October and mixing it up with our legal tips and
tricks, so stay tuned.