Sex Work and HIV/STI Prevention in the Pacific Region, Including Analysis of the Needs of, and Lessons Learnt from, Programs in Four Selected Countries

Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTs) are diverse; political regimes, cultural norms and languages vary widely. The forms of sex work undertaken across the Pacific are as diverse as the social, economic and political contexts in which they are situated. Reliable information on sex work in PICTs is fragmented and incomplete. However, characteristic forms of sex work include: paid sex with seafarers, women boarding boats, and the provision of sex to affluent locals, tourists, business travellers or migrant workers. Sex work typically occurs around ports and transit hubs, in development or construction enclaves and near military installations. Most sex work is informally organised and sex workers operate independently, although in Guam and Palau sex work is managed from within other entertainment establishments. Significant levels of sex work have been documented in Port Moresby, Honiara, Suva, Guam and Saipan, but various forms of sex work take place throughout the region.