Controversy Over Revelations of Widespread Sexual Harassment and Prostitution at the World Economic Forum

UK Daily The Times and Channel 4 Joint Report
"Over 100 Women Engaged in Prostitution Annually... Sometimes Bringing Women Directly from Their Home Countries"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Minwoo Lee] Allegations of widespread prostitution and sexual harassment have sparked controversy at the annual World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting (Davos Forum), held every January in Davos, Switzerland.

On the 23rd (local time), the British daily The Times and Channel 4 jointly reported on the realities of prostitution and sexual harassment occurring at the Davos Forum.

Swiss police have identified that at least 100 women involved in prostitution are active during the forum period. Prostitution is legal in Switzerland. According to reports, an official driver for the forum picked up a distressed woman involved in prostitution from the hotel where the delegation was staying. The woman stated that she was forced to sleep with a man older than expected.

At an event hosted by Russia’s sovereign wealth fund, the Russian Direct Investment Fund, eight models were hired as hostesses for 500 pounds (approximately 730,000 KRW). They were reportedly mobilized from Moscow, Russia.

Additionally, The Times reported witnessing a woman entering a restroom twice with a man at a hotel bar frequently visited by delegations and CEOs. A man who identified himself as the woman’s manager stated that she was involved in prostitution.

The Davos Forum has, for the first time, advised female businesspeople not to attend various events alone. A spokesperson for the Davos Forum explained, "The organizers will take a zero-tolerance approach to harassment, but are not responsible for incidents occurring outside official events." Gender equality activist Gary Barker, who attends the forum annually, argued, "The organizers should be held accountable for actions occurring outside official events as well."

Meanwhile, the Davos Forum, which reviews major global issues and devises response measures, has been attended by thousands of prominent figures including world leaders, politicians, officials, and businesspeople since its establishment in 1971. This year, 3,000 notable figures such as U.S. President Donald Trump and Swedish teenage environmental activist Greta Thunberg attended. Additionally, around 30,000 people visited Davos for networking and other purposes without invitations.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.