Breaking the silence about Singapore’s ‘comfort women’
In ‘The Comfort Women of Singapore in History and Memory’ academic Kevin Blackburn explains why it’s been hard to document the brutality
Wartime horrors and sexual slavery aren’t top of mind when perusing luxury malls on Orchard Road in Singapore. Yet Cairnhill Road, a terraced street a short walk away, was home to one of most prominent brothels used by the Japanese army in World War 2. Sentosa, an island known now for golf courses, small hotels and spas, also hosted a so-called “comfort station” where women were similarly subjugated.
The world is familiar with the ordeal of comfort women mainly because of the courage shown by Koreans who were coerced into bondage and have publicly campaigned for compensation and acts of contrition from Japan. Less well known is the way that Japan reshaped and directed the sex industry of Singapore from 1942, when British colonial rule was vanquished, until Tokyo’s defeat three years later. Fear of stigma and a lack of encouragement have hampered survivors in this Southeast Asia country from attaining similar recognition. ..
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