Why sex tourism is no defence for men like Thomas Markle, who thinks poverty erases exploitation

Markle’s account and denial

Markle told the Mail on Sunday that he had travelled to the Philippines “several” times to have sex with prostitutes. He said he liked Asian women and denied having sex with anyone underage.

Poverty and the sex trade

The case has brought attention to Western men travelling to the Philippines and other Southeast Asian countries to pay for sex. The article describes how people sold for sex in the Philippines often come from marginalised communities with limited access to basic necessities.

Lori Cohen, chief executive of Protect All Children from Trafficking, said the term “sex tourism” can understate the harm to people in destination countries. Cohen said the organisation’s work with children also involves adult survivors, many of whom, she said, were first exploited as children.

A study examining residents’ views in Makati City identified poverty as the main reason people entered prostitution, while tourist demand was linked to the trade’s growth. Residents surveyed believed sex tourism should be stopped because of the harm it causes.

Consent and risk of exploitation

Cohen questioned whether prostitution can be considered a choice when someone turns to it to avoid homelessness or starvation. The article notes that sex tourism involves both legally operated businesses and businesses employing people who have been trafficked.

A study in Thailand found that visitors who were not seeking children could still come into contact with them. The article also cites research describing violence, robbery and exploitation experienced by sex workers, including violence by customers.