User:Nicolasfernandez1/sandbox

Prostitution in Honduras
Prostitution is currently legal in Honduras. Because there is no law prohibiting prostitution, it is a prevalent form of occupation, especially amongst women and teenagers in cities. Although similar institutions such brothel ownership and pimping are illegal, lax prostitution protection laws have overall lead to a largely unchecked prostitutional business especially among children and woman sex workers. There are physical and mental ramifications to prostution.

Mental and Physical Effects of Prostitution
According to a study, many sex workers, both men and women, are exposed to sexual and physical violence. 71.4% of street workers were exposed to violence/physical danger. 90% were exposed to sexual violence. On top of this, a large percentage of victims were abused in their childhood, meaning the mental and physical effects of prostitution have beginnings.

In terms of mental effects, 69.98% have reported having suicidal behavior in life.

Sexual Effects of Prostitution
Although many may believe that prostitution can lead to high levels of HIV/AIDS, a medical report from 2013 states that only “2.4%” of a sample size of 790 sex workers had HIV which may be due to an increased use of protection among sex workers.

Child Prostitution
Honduras has tried, unsuccessfully to curb Child Prostitution in its country.

Causes of Child Prostitution
A way to escape poverty. Many children who go into child prostitution were forced by the parents to do sex work in order to provide for the family. Another issue, devoid of family, is the promise for a better lifestyle. Some children actively participate in the child prostitution industry because of the possibility to go to better countries such as the United States. e

Sex Trafficking / Sex-Tourism
First World Westerners come to major Honduran cities like Tegucigalpa in order to have sex with minors for a low cost. It is its own business: the selling of child bodies for sex in Honduras. This goes to show that, although pimping is considered illegal, it is still done and an industry has arisen, tot those who visit, our of this tourism.

Effects of Sex Work on Children
Children in the industry suffer from lack of confidence and self-worth because they are used as tools. Children are also more likely to suffer from life-threatening illnesses such as tuberculosis.

Worldwide Effects
Because of an uncostly and available population, trafficking has occurred out of Honduras. These rings have extended their reach to even the United States where Honduran sex workers, who are lured with the promise of a better life, yet are sold to wealthy people in the United States. On top of this, those already in the industry voluntarily would do their work in the United States because of the opportunity to greater.

Current Government Action / Policy
Honduras has struggled to make effective government policy to combat this issue. They had planned to implement a National Plan of Action to Eradicate Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children, but a plan never came into fruition. The legislation that Honduras both has and has not implemented based on policy recommendations from the UN Human Rights Council will be discussed. Additionally, Non-governmental organization s like Casa Alianza and the International Labour Organization’s International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour have created programs working alongside the Honduran Government to tackle this problem.9