By Monica Steiner , Contributing Author. Sex tourism is illegal when it involves sex with minors. At least three states also make promoting sex tourism illegal regardless of whether the prostitute is a minor or adult. For more information on prostitution laws generally, see Prostitution.

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Every year, over one million children are abused in the global commercial sex trade. Specific federal statutes under Title 18 of the U. Code define the crime and the punishments for child sex tourism, some of these statutes include: 2.

Sex tourism refers to the practice of traveling to different countries or continents with the intention of engaging in sexual activity or relationships in exchange for money. This practice predominantly operates in countries where sex work is legal, however, it is known to occur illegally in poorer and less developed societies. The World Tourism Organization of the United Nations has acknowledged this industry is organised both within and outside the structured laws and networks created by them. Sex tourism is commonly regarded as a transnational problem, as it can be seen to target marginalised demographics in developing nations, such as South East Asia and Brazil. The chief ethical concerns arise from; the economic status between tourists and residents, the sexual trafficking of children and women and the parties taking advantage of the ability to engage with minors.