SR91

A Senate Resolution urging New Jersey residents not to travel to the Dominican Republic unless the country takes appropriate measures against child sex tourism.

Whereas, Six million tourists a year visit the Dominican Republic, attracted by its beaches, mountains, and historical sites; and

Whereas, The Dominican Republic is the most visited destination in the Caribbean; and

Whereas, Prostitution is legal in the Dominican Republic, and the country has also become known as a center for sex tourism; and

Whereas, In recent years, human trafficking and child sexual exploitation in the Dominican Republic, driven by demand from tourists, has been recognized as a serious problem; and

Whereas, A 2015 report by the group International Justice Mission stated that one in four sex workers in the Dominican Republic on street corners and beaches and in parks was under age 18; and

Whereas, In a report issued in January 2018, Maud de Boer-Buquichhio, the United Nations special rapporteur on the sale and sexual exploitation of children, stated that the Dominican Republic is a known destination for child sex tourism; and

Whereas, Ms. de Boer-Buquichhio reported that one particular location, the municipality of Sosúa, is a reputed “paradise” for the commission of sex crimes; and

Whereas, Ms. de Boer-Buquichhio further reported that the local authorities in Sosúa feel overwhelmed by the problem of child sexual exploitation and feel that they lack the support of the central authorities in preventing and combatting it; and

Whereas, Ms. de Boer-Buquichhio reported that the problem is made worse by the alleged connivance and corruption of the local authorities, including the police; and

Whereas, The United States Department of State reports that the Dominican Republic is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to sex trafficking and forced labor, and that the government of the Dominican Republic does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; and

Whereas, The State Department recommends that the Dominican Republic vigorously prosecute sex trafficking offenses and convict and punish offenders involved in sex trafficking, especially government employees who are complicit in these crimes; and

Whereas, The State Department further recommends that the Dominican Republic make increased efforts to protect sex trafficking victims; and

Whereas, Unless and until the government of the Dominican Republic takes these steps, it would be appropriate for the residents of New Jersey to avoid traveling to the country; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey:

1. The Senate urges the residents of New Jersey not to travel to the Dominican Republic unless and until the country’s government takes appropriate steps, as verified by the United States Department of State, to prosecute child sex trafficking offenses, convict and punish offenders involved in child sex trafficking, and increase its efforts to protect child sex trafficking victims.

2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the New Jersey Department of State and the United States Department of State.

STATEMENT

This resolution urges New Jersey residents not to travel to the Dominican Republic unless the country takes appropriate measures against child sex tourism. Six million tourists a year visit the Dominican Republic, attracted by its beaches, mountains, and historical sites. The Dominican Republic is the most visited destination in the Caribbean. Prostitution is legal in the Dominican Republic, and the country has also become known as a center for sex tourism. In recent years, human trafficking and child sexual exploitation in the Dominican Republic, driven by demand from tourists, has been recognized as a serious problem. A 2015 report by the group International Justice Mission stated that one in four sex workers in the Dominican Republic on street corners and beaches and in parks was under age 18.

In a report issued in January 2018, Maud de Boer-Buquichhio, the United Nations special rapporteur on the sale and sexual exploitation of children, stated that the Dominican Republic is a known destination for child sex tourism. Ms. de Boer-Buquichhio reported that one particular location, the municipality of Sosúa, is a reputed “paradise” for the commission of sex crimes. Ms. de Boer-Buquichhio further reported that the local authorities in Sosúa feel overwhelmed by the problem of child sexual exploitation and feel that they lack the support of the central authorities in preventing and combatting it. She reported that the problem is made worse by the alleged connivance and corruption of the local authorities, including the police.

The United States Department of State reports that the Dominican Republic is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to sex trafficking and forced labor, and that the government of the Dominican Republic does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking. The State Department recommends that the Dominican Republic vigorously prosecute sex trafficking offenses and convict and punish offenders involved in sex trafficking, especially government employees who are complicit in these crimes. The State Department further recommends that the Dominican Republic make increased efforts to protect sex trafficking victims.

Unless and until the government of the Dominican Republic takes these steps, as verified by the United States Department of State, the residents of New Jersey are urged to refrain from travel to the country.