Exploitation of Street-Based Children

Resources to Help Improve Care for Children Living or Working on the Street

The Problem

Typically, children living and/or working on the streets experience deprivation, physical and sexual violence, emotional abuse and neglect. They are at elevated risk of sexual and labor exploitation. Given their highly stressful, frequently dangerous living conditions, street-based children have many medical and mental health needs.

The Resources

The resources below explore the potential sources and impact of trauma on this vulnerable population so medical and mental health providers can better recognize victimization and offer support and assistance.

279 kb

International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children

HealthPortal Resources

Exploitation of Street-Based Children

Resources to Help Improve Care for Children Living or Working on the Street

The Problem

The Resources

Developing Global South Perspective Street Children Involvement Organized Crime (Sheppard, 2018)

Challenging the Stereotypes: Sexual Exploitation Among Homeless Boys Canada (Saewyc, 2021)

The lived experiences of children living on the streets of Hillbrow (Myburgh, 2015)

HIV prevalence in children and youth living on the street and subject to commercial sexual exploitation (Herrera, 2016)

Identifying Sexual and Labor Exploitation among Sheltered Youth Experiencing Homelessness (Mostajabian, 2019)

Sexual and physical abuse and its determinants among street children in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (Chimdessa, 2018)

Street children’s vulnerability to HIV and sexually transmitted infections in Malawian cities (Mandalazi, 2013)