Prostitution and sex-trafficking take place in Tehran, and the number of women working in the profession is growing. The government agency charged with overseeing morality is turning a blind eye to the issue, to avoid dealing with something ‘not spoken about’ by the state. In twelve months 32 brothels were discovered in Tehran. Most women go into the profession to avoid extreme poverty, many being sold into prostitution by their husbands to make ends meet. There are 100+ young girls in Tehran making 2 - 20 dollars per client. 35% of prostitutes are married women with children. Others are involved in ‘pleasure marriages’ (temporary couplings recognised by Shi'ite Islam to conceal the fact that they are engaged in prostitution). These marriages are decided upon by men, without the woman's consent, and accompanied by a payment given by the man. When women become pregnant, the babies are abandoned on the street and later used for other purposes.