WILLEMSTAD – Curaçao does not have a central registry or reliable data on the number of sex workers, where they operate, or the nature of their activities, according to Minister of Justice Shalten Hato.
The minister made the statement in response to written parliamentary questions submitted by MFK Member of Parliament Maria Nita, who requested an updated overview of the island's sex work sector, including oversight, health risks, human trafficking and possible regulation.
According to Hato, much of the island's sex industry now operates in informal or illegal settings, making it difficult for authorities to obtain accurate information.
He acknowledged that the lack of structure and effective oversight creates significant risks, including sexual exploitation, human trafficking, violence, organized crime, public health concerns and inadequate social protection for vulnerable individuals.
Although law enforcement agencies possess operational intelligence gathered through investigations, Hato said that information cannot be made public because of privacy concerns and ongoing criminal investigations.
As a result, the government is unable to provide concrete figures on the number of sex workers or the locations where sex work is taking place.
The minister said the Ministry of Justice continues to work closely with the Curaçao Police Force (KPC), the Public Prosecution Service (OM) and PATH, the reporting center for human trafficking and migrant smuggling. Their efforts are focused primarily on identifying and prosecuting cases involving human trafficking, sexual exploitation and other illegal activities.
In addition, the ministry cooperates with healthcare and social welfare organizations to identify vulnerable individuals and connect them with appropriate assistance.
The questions from Nita were prompted in part by the situation following the closure of Campo Alegre, which for decades functioned as Curaçao's regulated prostitution zone. According to the MP, authorities have had limited visibility of the sector since commercial sex activities became dispersed across the island.
Hato confirmed that the informal nature of the current industry has made monitoring significantly more difficult.
The minister also warned that the stigma surrounding sex work discourages many individuals from seeking medical care, legal protection or social assistance. He called for greater public awareness, prevention efforts and an open discussion about sexual health, human rights and exploitation.