Dear Editor,

I am writing in response to the recent article on sex workers' desire to be included in conversations about anti-trafficking policies ("Sex workers seek policy partners", July 28, 2009).

Legal or not, it is well-known that prostitution is associated with deviant behaviours and crimes. This is one of the reasons why I am very disgusted with and appalled by NGOs' arguments about the treatment of prostitutes as well as their lack of respect for Cambodian culture and law enforcement. I am also tired of the recurrent argument that sex workers are human beings that have situations in their lives that brought them into that occupation. If the same argument were made for drug users or for people who traffic women and children, then no one would be incarcerated for the crimes he or she has committed.

I am proud that our law enforcement and other agencies have worked hard to enforce the law and to bring back social order for the majority. The Cambodian Alliance for Combating HIV/AIDS (CACHA), the Women's Network for Unity (WNU) and the arguments of [Asia Pacific Network of Sex Workers technical adviser] Sara Bradford are dangerous. They are really just arguing to preserve their own interests. They promote the sex, drug and porn industries and all of the crimes associated with them.

My argument is that less prostitution will create less trafficking of women and children and deviant behavior. It will also mean that fewer people will sell their bodies, which will deter young girls from going into prostitution. Less prostitution will bring less shame to the people, culture and society.

Cambodia cannot allow herself to become a major global sex tourist destination like the Netherlands or Thailand. Cambodia has enough other assets to be celebrated and enjoyed by all people from all parts of the world.

We must reject the nonsensical argument that prostitution has a place in Cambodia. Above all, we should always support our law enforcement and other agencies who work diligently to protect our Kingdom's reputation, culture and society from being dominated by the sex industry.

Chansokhy Anhaouy

Vancouver, Canada

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The views expressed above are solely the author's and do not reflect any positions taken by The Phnom Penh Post.