Sex and the streets: the open secret of sexual abuse among Pakistan’s two million street children
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 intercour...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2021-11-01
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| Series: | Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13034-021-00420-3 |
| _version_ | 1818834778905903104 |
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| author | Amir Humza Sohail Muhammad Hassaan Arif Maan Sachal Sohail |
| author_facet | Amir Humza Sohail Muhammad Hassaan Arif Maan Sachal Sohail |
| author_sort | Amir Humza Sohail |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | 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. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-19T02:40:14Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-675daf70cfe748c8941551e9b517a505 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1753-2000 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-19T02:40:14Z |
| publishDate | 2021-11-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-675daf70cfe748c8941551e9b517a5052022-12-21T20:39:09ZengBMCChild and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health1753-20002021-11-011511410.1186/s13034-021-00420-3Sex and the streets: the open secret of sexual abuse among Pakistan’s two million street childrenAmir Humza Sohail0Muhammad Hassaan Arif Maan1Sachal Sohail2Department of Surgery, New York University Winthrop HospitalMedical College, The Aga Khan UniversityKing Edward Medical UniversityAbstract 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.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13034-021-00420-3Street childrenSexual abuseHuman immunodeficiency virusSexual exploitation |
| spellingShingle | Amir Humza Sohail Muhammad Hassaan Arif Maan Sachal Sohail Sex and the streets: the open secret of sexual abuse among Pakistan’s two million street children Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health Street children Sexual abuse Human immunodeficiency virus Sexual exploitation |
| title | Sex and the streets: the open secret of sexual abuse among Pakistan’s two million street children |
| title_full | Sex and the streets: the open secret of sexual abuse among Pakistan’s two million street children |
| title_fullStr | Sex and the streets: the open secret of sexual abuse among Pakistan’s two million street children |
| title_full_unstemmed | Sex and the streets: the open secret of sexual abuse among Pakistan’s two million street children |
| title_short | Sex and the streets: the open secret of sexual abuse among Pakistan’s two million street children |
| title_sort | sex and the streets the open secret of sexual abuse among pakistan s two million street children |
| topic | Street children Sexual abuse Human immunodeficiency virus Sexual exploitation |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13034-021-00420-3 |
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