Prostitution in American Samoa
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Prostitution in American Samoa is illegal, as are related activities such as brothel keeping and pimping.{{cite web |url= http://www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/library/hivaids/English/HIV-2012-SexWorkAndLaw.pdf |title= Sex Work and the Law in Asia and the Pacific |last1= Godwin |first1= John |date= October 2012 |website= UNAIDS }} These acts are punishable by law, including a fine of more than $500 or a jail sentence of up to a year for customers of prostitution.{{Cite book|title=Global Perspectives on Prostitution and Sex Trafficking: Africa, Asia, Middle East, and Oceania|last1=Baker & Dalla|first1=R & L|year=2011|pages=288}} Prostitution occurs in bars{{cite web|title=Two women in American Samoa sentenced over {{sic|nolink=y|reason=error in source|prosititution}}|url=http://fijione.tv/two-women-in-american-samoa-sentenced-over-prosititution/|website=Fiji One|access-date=February 3, 2018|date=January 11, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150625100849/http://fijione.tv/two-women-in-american-samoa-sentenced-over-prosititution/|archive-date=June 25, 2015 }} and nightclubs, and in boats moored in the harbours.{{cite web|title=Prostitution Being Tackled In American Samoa|url=http://www.pireport.org/articles/2000/02/24/prostitution-being-tackled-american-samoa|website=Pacific Islands Report|access-date=February 3, 2018|date=February 24, 2000}}
W. Somerset Maugham's short story Rain about a missionary trying to get a prostitute to give up her ways is based on Maugham's visit to American Samoa's capital Pago Pago in 1916.[https://books.google.com/books?id=H0MqigagKTkC&dq=miss+thompson+somerset+maugham&pg=PA244 Page 244] Samuel J. Rogal, A William Somerset Maugham Encyclopedia. Greenwood Publishing Group, 1997.
Legislation
Although an Unincorporated territory of the United States, American Samoa is self-governing and has its own laws.
Chapter 37 of Title 46 (Criminal Justice) of the American Samoa Code legislates against prostitution and related activities:{{cite web|title=Code Annotated Chapter 37 - Prostitution|url=http://www.asbar.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=751&Itemid=172|website=American Samoa Bar Association|access-date=February 3, 2018|language=en-gb}}
- 46.3701 Definitions. (defines terms used in the legislation)
- 46.3702 Prostitution. (criminalises the act of prostitution)
- 46.3703 Patronizing prostitution. (criminalises purchase of sex)
- 46.3704 Prostitution and patronizing prostitution - Sex of parties no defense (makes offences gender neutral)
- 46.3705 Promoting prostitution in the first degree. (criminalises forced prostitution and child prostitution)
- 46.3706 Promoting prostitution in the second degree. (criminalises pimping, procuring and brothel keeping)
- 46.3707 Prostitution houses considered public nuisances. (gives courts the power to close premises used for prostitution for up to a year)
Sex trafficking
Young women from nearby Samoa are brought to the island, often through family connections, for domestic chores and are subsequently subjected to sex trafficking.{{cite web|title=Proposed human trafficking law in American Samoa draws reactions|url=https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/221225/proposed-human-trafficking-law-in-american-samoa-draws-reactions|website=Radio New Zealand |access-date=February 3, 2018|language=en-nz|date=September 10, 2013}}
In 2007, five Chinese nationals were jailed for trafficking Chinese women into the country to work as prostitutes in bars and nightclubs. The two ringleaders were sentenced to 62 and 63 months imprisonment. The victims had their passports taken away, weren't paid, and weren't allowed to leave until they had paid off their ever-increasing debts.{{cite web|title=Two Chinese Nationals Sentenced for Sex Trafficking Charges in American Samoa|url=https://www.justice.gov/archive/opa/pr/2008/January/08_crt_009.html|website=Department of Justice|access-date=February 3, 2018|date=January 4, 2008}}{{cite web|title=American Samoa prostitution ringleaders jailed|url=http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/2008-01-07/american-samoa-prostitution-ringleaders-jailed/9048|website=Radio Australia|access-date=February 3, 2018|language=en-intl|date=December 19, 2011}}
Law enforcement officers raided the U.S. territory's Office of Immigration in January 2010. It was alleged that in the previous 6 months immigration officials had waived through trafficking victims without performing the required checks on people entering the country. Possibly hundreds of victims were brought through in this manner during the period. The women being used by a prostitution ring.{{cite web|title=Authorities raid American Samoa immigration office|url=http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-authorities-raid-american-samoa-immigration-office-2010jan08-story.html|website=San Diego Union Tribune|access-date=February 3, 2018|date=January 8, 2010}}
The Government of American Samoa introduced specific law to combat human trafficking.{{cite web|title=Trafficking in Persons Report (10th Ed. )|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/142979.pdf|website=United States Department of State|access-date=February 3, 2018|date=June 2010}} The legislation was further strengthened in 2014.{{cite web|title=New American Samoa law fights human trafficking|url=http://newsok.com/article/feed/669379|website=NewsOK|access-date=February 3, 2018|date=April 2, 2014}}