Her no-nonsense, tough-girl attitude projects the confidence of a woman in her 30s, yet she's only Colorful angel and butterfly tattoos cover her skin, and she wears a black T-shirt emblazoned with a huge skull. Chimoy β by her own account and those of other girls and social workers β is a pimp. She got into the business when she was A boyfriend's sister asked her to sell herself for sex, but she recruited a friend for the job instead. Two years ago in Indonesia, there were zero reports of child pimps like Chimoy who work as the boss with no adults behind the scenes.
But the National Commission for Child Protection says 21 girls between 14 and 16 have been caught working as "mamis" so far this year, and there are likely far more. It's easier than ever. Kids can use text messages and social media to book clients and make transactions without ever needing to stand on a dark corner in a miniskirt and heels. Chimoy, who has occasionally worked as a prostitute, and other teens in the sex industry interviewed for this story are identified by their nicknames.
The Associated Press does not typically identify children who have been sexually abused. Recently, in the eastern city of Surabaya, a year-old was busted after escorting three other teens to meet clients at a hotel.
Police spokeswoman Maj. The girl also met potential clients in malls or restaurants first to size them up. The U. International Labor Organization estimates 40, to 70, children become victims of sexual exploitation in Indonesia annually. Much of this abuse is driven by adults, but poverty and consumerism play a role. Indonesia's have-nots rub up against a growing middle class obsessed with the latest gadgets and the ultra-wealthy flaunting their designer clothes and luxury cars.
It was a smartphone that drove soft-spoken Daus into prostitution at age Indonesia is a social-media crazed country that ranks as one of the world's top Facebook and Twitter users. But the biggest issue is not money. It's problems at home, including neglect and abuse, says Faisal Cakrabuana, project manager of Yayasan Bahtera, a nonprofit in the West Java capital of Bandung that helps sexually victimized children. Many girls end up on the street and connect with others facing similar situations.
