Document Type
Commentary
Department
Medical College Pakistan
Abstract
Background: About two million children live on the streets in Pakistan. Their complicated past and dire living conditions make them susceptible to many psychological and physical problems, including sexual abuse.
Main body: With little research on the topic, the prevalence of sexual intercourse among street children is reported to be as high as 88% in Pakistan. With commercial sex a common practice among the street children, public places such as bus terminals and parks have become foci of prostitution and sexual exploitation. A growing concern is the spread of HIV/AIDS among the affected children due to a general lack of awareness about the disease and its prevention and high prevalence of unsafe sexual practices. The generally apathetic attitude of the society towards this issue and the affected children, combined with a lack of commitment and limited resource allocation by the government, has contributed in deteriorating the situation further.
Conclusions: A comprehensive multi-pronged strategy involving government, societal and international stakeholders is crucial to tackle the current crisis.
Publication (Name of Journal)
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health
Recommended Citation
Sohail, A. H.,
Maan, M. A.,
Sohail, S.
(2021). Sex and the streets: The open secret of sexual abuse among Pakistan's two million street children. Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health, 15(1), 65.
Available at:
https://ecommons.aku.edu/pakistan_fhs_mc_mc/235
Creative Commons License
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Included in
Child Psychology Commons, Immunology and Infectious Disease Commons, Mental and Social Health Commons
Comments
Pagination are not provided by the author/publisher