While girls remain the primary victims (69% of all trafficked persons in Asia), there was a notable increase in reports concerning the exploitation of boys and LGBTQ+ youth , particularly in South Korea and Thailand. Economic Desperation and Forced Labor
: Continued school closures and disruptions in social and child protection services left millions of the most vulnerable teens without a safety net. exploited teens asia 2021
The exploitation of teenagers in Asia can take many forms, including but not limited to: While girls remain the primary victims (69% of
In 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic and rapid digitalization created a "perfect storm" for teen exploitation in Asia, shifting risks toward online grooming and forced "fraud factories" in Southeast Asia. Over two million children in the Philippines were estimated to be subjected to online abuse, while regional economic desperation exacerbated forced labor in sectors like agriculture and seafood. For further reading on child labor findings, visit U.S. Department of Labor www.walkfree.org Over two million children in the Philippines were
In 2021, pandemic-related disruptions caused a surge in teenage exploitation across Asia, driven by a significant rise in online sexual abuse and the first increase in child labor in two decades. Reports indicate intensified risks for children in Southeast Asia, with millions facing hazardous work and digital exploitation, according to findings from ECPAT and UNICEF. For more details, visit