Prostitution in Guam

Chapter 28 (Public Indecency) of the Guam Crimes and Correctional Code outlaws prostitution as well as soliciting, compelling, promoting or abetting prostitution. The latter includes using the services of a prostitute.{{cite web |url= http://www.guamcourts.org/sor/Title/Title_9_Chap_28.pdf |title= GCA Crimes and Correction |website= Guam Courts |access-date= November 22, 2017 }} The relevant articles are:

• § 28.10. Prostitution Defined: Defines terms used in the legislation
• § 28.15. Loitering for the Purpose of Soliciting to Engage in Prostitution: Criminalises solicitation
• § 28.20. Promoting Prostitution: Criminalises owning, controlling, managing or supervising a place of prostitution, inciting somebody to enter prostitution
• § 28.25. Abetting Prostitution: Criminalises soliciting a person to patronise a prostitute, procures a prostitute for himself, transports a person in or out of Guam for the purposes of prostitution
• § 28.30. Compelling Prostitution: Criminalises forced prostitution and child prostitution

The Department of Public Health and Social Services mandates STI testing massage parlour workers.{{cite web |url= http://exoticdocumentary.com/legal-info/ |title= Sex Work Legal Info |website= Exotic Documentary |access-date= November 22, 2017 }}

When the island was discovered by Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, the indigenous Chamorros already practised prostitution and regarded it as a prestigious occupation.{{cite book |last1=Souder-Jaffery |first1=Laura Marie Torres |title=Daughters of the island : contemporary Chamorro women organizers on Guam |date=1992 |publisher=University Press of America |location=Lanham |isbn=9780819186072 |pages=83–84 |edition=2nd}}

During the Japanese occupation of Guam in WW2, some local Chamorro women were forced to work in the Japanese military brothels set up on the island (I Tiempon Chapones){{cite web |url= http://www.mvariety.com/cnmi/cnmi-news/editorials/82700-when-the-moon-waxes-not-so-comforting-apologies |title= When the Moon Waxes: Not-so-comforting apologies |last= Bevaqua |first= Michael Lujan |date= December 31, 2015 |website= Marianas Variety |access-date= November 22, 2017 }} along with the Japanese and Korean woman the Japanese had brought there. After the American liberation of Guam, a number of brothels were set up to serve the American servicemen.{{cite book |last= Okihiro |first= Gary Y |date= 2015 |title= American History Unbound: Asians and Pacific Islanders |publisher= University of California Press |page= 369 }}

The establishment of US bases on the island after the islands were liberated in WW2, increased the demand for prostitution.

The tourist area of the Tumon district of Tamuning is the island's de facto red-light district. There are many massage parlours, with 75% opening 24 hours a day.

There have been ongoing discussions about establishing a legitimate red-light district since 2006. A Bill was introduced to the Legislature in 2010 by vice-speaker Benjamin Cruz. It proposed re-zoning Tumon and having all the adult entertainment establishments in one designated area.{{cite web|title=Guam's Red-Light Zoning Proposal: "Look at a map"
How Will This Zoning Proposal Square with the US Military's Prohibition on Facilitating Human Trafficking?|url=http://www.kathryncramer.com/kathryn_cramer/2006/03/guams_zoning_pr.html|website=Kathryn Cramer|access-date=February 5, 2018}} The Bill did not pass into law.

Sex trafficking is a problem on the island,{{cite web|title=NGO in Guam warns human trafficking is a big problem|url=https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/programmes/datelinepacific/audio/20147726/ngo-in-guam-warns-human-trafficking-is-a-big-problem|website=Radio New Zealand |access-date=February 4, 2018|language=en-nz|date=August 29, 2014}} although due to poor reporting the extent is not fully known.{{cite web|title=Federal bill could greatly help Guam's human trafficking problem|url=http://www.kuam.com/story/35883769/2017/07/Friday/federal-bill-could-greatly-help-guams-human-trafficking-problem|website=Kuam News|access-date=February 4, 2018|language=en|date=July 14, 2017}}

In 2012, a 70-year-old female was sentenced to life imprisonment for sex trafficking. She owned the "Blue House" karaoke bar where women were trafficked to and from Chuuk in Micronesia. The women were promised employment in restaurants or stores but on arrival were forced to work as prostitutes.{{cite web|title=Guam bar owner sentenced to life in prison for sex trafficking|url=https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/guam-bar-owner-sentenced-life-prison-sex-trafficking|publisher=US Immigration and Customs Enforcement|access-date=February 4, 2018|language=en|date=September 20, 2012}} The manageress of the bar and 2 police officers also faced charges for their involvement. A third police officer disciplined by the police department.{{cite web|last1=Parinas|first1=Aisabel|title=Human and Sex Trafficking on Guam|url=https://prezi.com/lzk5rli5-sh2/human-and-sex-trafficking-on-guam/|website=Prezi|access-date=February 4, 2018|language=en|date=May 19, 2015}}

It has been suggested that lax policies on massage parlours contributes to sex trafficking.{{cite web|last1=Partido|first1=Gerry R.|title=Expert: Tighter policies on massage parlors can curb trafficking|url=https://www.postguam.com/news/local/expert-tighter-policies-on-massage-parlors-can-curb-trafficking/article_56a3ec88-dee2-11e6-9621-1f28aeab39ed.html|website=The Guam Daily Post|access-date=February 4, 2018|language=en|date=January 22, 2017}}

{{reflist}}

• [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5959798/?ref_=nm_flmg_dr_1 Exotic] 2016 feature documentary about the commercial sex industry on Guam. Directed by Amy Oden

{{Oceania in topic|Prostitution in|state=collapsed}}

{{Prostitution in the United States|state=collapsed}}

Guam

Category:Culture of Guam

Guam

Category:Women in Guam