The Ugly Reality of Human Trafficking in Bali

For many vacationers, the sun-kissed paradise of Bali represents a lush Eden — a heaven on earth. For tens of thousands of children in Indonesia, however, this island has become a living hell. It’s estimated that 40,000-70,000 Indonesian children are victims of prostitution and trafficking, with a large percentage of them enslaved in the sex tourism industry in Bali. According to UNICEF’s End Child Exploitation Campaign, children make up approximately 30 percent of the individuals performing commercial sex work in Indonesia.

Conditions That Create Desperation

While the economy of Bali is booming from tourism, thousands of Indonesians are seeking better education and job opportunities. In Bali, the cost of living continues to rise due to the tourism industry, and locals are suffering from tourism-driven inflation. Poverty and lack of opportunity in less thriving islands ends up putting people in a vulnerable position as they try to look for alternatives to live a better life.

Helping Combat Sex Trafficking

One goal of Dark Bali is to activate tourists to combat the substantial problem of sexual trafficking, particularly child sex trafficking. According to the Indonesian Ministry of Social Affairs, there were 56,000 children being sold for sex throughout all 34 Indonesian provinces in 2016. Furthermore, the Australian Federal Police has noted that Indonesia has “eclipsed Thailand, the Philippines and Malaysia to become the number one destination for Australian sex tourists” most often making Bali their first or only stop in the country. Tourists have the potential to lead a movement for the sake of sexually trafficked children on Bali through their advocacy, support, and ethical tourism.