A Qualitative Exploration of Abuse among Street Children: Nature, Practices and Dysfunctional Laws

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to discover the abuse among street children and the socioeconomic factors that push kids into a life on the streets and, social and legal insight from street children from densely populated areas of Islamabad such as G-9 Markaz, I-8 Markaz, Rawal town, and Mehar-Abadi. Data collected from 30 street children, parents, and some government officials indicate that poverty, lack of education, Afghan migration, family troubles and economic position, and peer influence are the main factors of street children becoming involved in social evils and sexual activities. They were subjected to multiple types of abuse, such as verbal, physical, emotional, and sexual abuse besides being talented, their surroundings limited their ability. There is a dire need to establish strategies that should be based on ground realities to protect street children from neglect, abuse, and exploitation.