Return to site

Lebanon

Lebanon is facing a growing sex industry on its territory, with different forms and locations of prostitution (streets, super night clubs and via apps). Currently, the most significant increase in Lebanese prostitution is due to the recent war in Syria, which has led to over 1.5 million Syrian taking refuge in Lebanon, 78% of whom are women and children according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Many of these women have been forced into prostitution in order to survive. Others arrived in Lebanon after being misled with false job offers. Within Lebanon’s super night clubs, the majority of prostituted persons are from Eastern Europe, particularly Ukraine and Russia. Laws relating to prostitution and human trafficking bring forth many difficulties, making their enforcement and prosecution difficult for the judiciary. Increases in the numbers of child marriage and male prostitution also remain concerning, especially since the beginning of the Syrian refugee crisis.