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Where is Escorting Legal? Part 5 – The Asia-Pacific Region

0 comments 13 Oct 2015

We’ve come to our last stop in the “Where is Escorting Legal?” series. We know it’s been a long ride and not a very fun one for many of you, but for the newly starting escorts, these are crucial pieces of information and they will also act as a foundation for when we talk about loopholes and disclaimers, and how to best stay away from legal trouble. So, without any further ado: the last stop on our tour:


Asia-Pacific Region – Where it’s legal and where it’s not:


1. Afghanistan – sex outside marriage is still very much illegal, and prisons in Afghanistan are full of women who were charged for having sex unmarried. Sentences range from 5 to 15 years in prison. As such, you can imagine, prostitution, brothel ownership and pimping are all illegal here.


2. Armenia – Prostitution is very much legal and so is sex tourism. Yerevan, the country’s capital, holds the largest number of sex workers in the country. Brothel ownership and pimping are illegal, however.




3. Australia – The law here varies with each state. Some have decriminalized prostitution, brothel ownership and pimping; some have regulated them heavily, while others still consider them criminal activities.


                a. Australian Capital Territory – Since 1992, brothels and agencies are required to register with the authorities. There are no limits to number of workers or rooms, but street work is illegal.


                b. New South Wales – Since 1988, prostitution is legal, and brothel placement is handles by local authorities. Pimping, however, is illegal.


                c. Northern Territory – Escort agencies are required to apply for a license in order to operate their business, but independent escorts can operate unregulated. Brothels and street work are illegal.


                d. Queensland – Prostitution is legal and not significantly regulated, but advertising as an escort is prohibited. Pimping is illegal and the only associate an independent escort can have is a bodyguard. Brothels are legal and regulated, but brothels do risk being declared prohibited individually by local authorities.


                e. South Australia – Every form of prostitution is illegal here.


                f. Tasmania – All forms of prostitution are illegal.


                g. Victoria – Street work is illegal, but brothels of up to six rooms are legal and registered under local authorities. However, some larger brothels that existed prior to the six room act of 1994 are still operating legally today.


                h. Western Australia – Prostitution is illegal here, but brothels are tolerated by the local authorities.


4. Bangladesh – Female prostitutes older than 18-years-old are legal, but male prostitution is illegal. Brothel ownership and pimping are also legal.


5. Cambodia – All three forms, prostitution, brothel ownership and pimping, are illegal here.




6. Canada – Interestingly enough, selling sex in Canada is legal, but buying sexual services is not as of 2014. Clients face charges of up to five years in prison and a fine of $500 minimum. Brothel ownership is legal, but pimping is illegal.


7. China – Prostitution is illegal, except in Taiwan, where it was legalized in 2009. Brothel ownership and pimping are illegal as well.


8. India – Prostitution is legal, but street work is not. Just avoid public spaces and you should be perfectly fine. Brothel ownership and pimping are both illegal.


9. Indonesia – Prostitution, brothel ownership and pimping are simply not defined in the law in Indonesia, so you can’t really say that they’re legal or illegal. The practices are common, but local authorities can sometimes enforce their power under the charge of “crime against decency”.


10. Japan – Only forms of prostitution that involve coitus are illegal in Japan; non-coital sex acts are all perfectly legal. Brothel ownership and pimping are illegal, however.




11. Malaysia – While prostitution itself is not a criminal act, soliciting prostitution is prohibited. Brothel ownership and pimping are also illegal.


12. New Zealand – Prostitution was legalized in 2003 for all citizens 18+. Brothel ownership is also legal and owners must be at least 18-years-old, must apply with the local authorities and be a citizen of New Zealand or Australia. The only applications that are denied are those of former convicts. There are no laws against pimping.


13. North Korea – No. Just no. It’s all illegal here. And scary.


14. Peru – Prostitution and brothel ownership are both legal, but living off of a sex worker’s earnings (pimping) is illegal.


15. Philippines – While prostitution, brothel ownership and pimping are illegal, there are many sex workers working from local bars that can register with local authorities. They must get regular health examinations.


16. Singapore – There are many legal red-light districts. Sex workers must be over 18-years-old and must undergo regular medical check-ups. Brothel ownership is also legal, but pimping is not.


17. South Korea – Prostitution became illegal in 1948. Brothel owners risk up to 10 years in prison and pimping is also illegal.


18. Thailand – It’s all illegal in Thailand.


And there it is, the fifth episode in the “Where is escorting legal” series. Thanks for sticking to the boring legal ride, everyone! We’ll be spicing it up the rest of October and mixing it up with our legal tips and tricks, so stay tuned. 

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