Fall 08 Child Exploitation in Juba A study on street children and child labour in Juba, South Sudan C o n f i d e n t C h i l d r e n o u t o f C o n f l i c t I n c o l l a b o r a t i o n w i t h t h e F r e n c h E m b a s s y , S o u t h S u d a n Copyright ©Confident Children out of Conflict Haley L. S. Wright, Lead Researcher and Author All photography Copyright ©Bernard Henin Photography http://bernardhenin.photoshelter.com/ First published September 2013 NOTE This publication was commissioned by the French Embassy, however the contents are the sole responsibility and views of Confident Children out of Conflict and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the French Embassy. 2 Table of Contents Introduction Acknowledgements Acronyms and abbreviations CHAPTER 1: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 8 CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW & SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS 14 1/ CHILDREN WITHOUT APPROPRIATE CARE 14 2/ STREET CHILDREN 16 3/ MODERN SLAVERY 23 4/ CHILD LABOUR 24 5/ COMMERCIAL SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF CHILDREN 27 6/ CHILD MARRIAGE 28 7/ TRAFFICKING 29 8/ CHILDREN IN CONFLICT WITH THE LAW 31 CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY 34 1/ RESEARCH OBJECTIVES 34 2/ RESEARCH APPROACH AND SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS 34 3/ RESEARCH APPROACH 35 4/ DATA COLLECTION 35 5/ TRAINING OF RESEARCH TEAM 37 6/ ORGANISATION OF FIELDWORK 38 7/ DATA PROCESSING AND VALIDATION OF DATA 39 8/ LIMITATIONS AND ETHICAL CONSIDERATION 40 CHAPTER 4: FINDINGS OF CHILD RESPONDENTS 41 1/ SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF CHILD SAMPLE 42 2/ EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT OF CHILD SAMPLE 44 3/ SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF PARENTS OF CHILD SAMPLE 46 4/ CHILDREN WITHOUT APPROPRIATE CARE 50 5/ CHILD LABOUR 53 6/ HEALTH AND SAFETY OF WORKING CHILDREN 57 7/ COMMERCIAL SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF CHILDREN 60 8/ CHILDREN IN CONFLICT WITH THE LAW 64 CHAPTER 5: FINDINGS OF PARENTS, EMPLOYERS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT 67 1/ FINDINGS OF PARENT SAMPLE 68 2/ FINDINGS OF EMPLOYER SAMPLE 72 3/ FINDINGS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS SAMPLE 73 CHAPTER 6: CHILD PROTECTION PROGRAMMING IN JUBA 75 1/ UN AGENCIES 75 2/ INTERNATIONAL NGOS 76 3/ NATIONAL NGOS 78 4/ RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ACTION 80 REFERENCES 82 APPENDIX 85 3 INTRODUCTION S This report reflects the findings of action research regarding child exploitation in South Sudan, which was carried out between January and March 2013. The French Embassy commissioned Confident Children out of Conflict to conduct this study and subsequent report. The research conducted in Juba City Council forms part of a multi-country study conducted in Sudan, South Sudan, the Central African Republic and Chad. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The research team is grateful for all of the children that participated in the study, as well as the parents and key informants who contributed directly or indirectly to the research. In particular we would like to acknowledge Anagha Joshi at International Organization for Migration for providing us with trafficking case details and Bernard Henin for use of his poignant photography in this report. 4 ACRONYMS & ABBREVIATIONS CCC Confident Children out of Conflict CES Central Equatoria State CPA Comprehensive Peace Agreement CRC Convention on the Rights of the Child CSEC Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children EES Eastern Equatoria State EMDH Children of the World Human Rights FTR Family Tracing and Reunification GBV Gender Based Violence GRSS Government of the Republic of South Sudan HIV/AIDS Human Immunodeficiency Virus / Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome IDP Internally Displaced Persons ILO International Labour Organization IOM International Organisation for Migration IPCS Institute for Promotion of Civil Society JCCP Japan Center for Conflict Prevention INGO International Non-Governmental Organisation NGO Non-Governmental Organisation NNGO National Non-Governmental Organization Palermo Protocol UN Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons PTSD Post-traumatic Stress Disorder RoSS Republic of South Sudan SIHA Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa SPLA Sudan People’s Liberation Army STI Sexually Transmitted Infection UNICEF United Nations Children's Fund WFCL Worst Forms of Child Labour 5 6 7 CHAPTER 1: Executive summary Rapid urbanization and a breakdown of the family and community support mechanisms in the Republic of South Sudan’s capitol, Juba, has led to increased vulnerability for children and a rise in child exploitation. Furthermore, resources in South Sudan are limited for child protection programming because they are channeled into humanitarian crises, which primarily revolve around the needs of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), refugees, returnees and the country’s most food insecure. This report analysess the findings of action research carried out in Juba between February and March 2013. There is significant evidence that children are victims of child labor, commercial sexual exploitation, trafficking and harsh treatment by law enforcement officials. The purpose of this report is to form a baseline for the French Embassy to develop a child protection strategy for South Sudan. STREET CHILDREN IN JUBA The term ‘street child’ has many different definitions. Broadly speaking, three categories of street children exist, as follows: children of the street, children on the street and children that are part of a street family. Although some may consider these definitions too rigid, in Juba they provide an effective way to categorise the majority of children living or migrating to the street for programmatic purposes. The United Nations (UN) defines the term street child to include “any boy or girl…for whom the street in the widest sense of the word… has become his or her habitual abode and/or source of livelihood and 1 who is inadequately protected, supervised, or directed by responsible adults.” Whether a child considers him or herself to be a street child and therefore whether he or she is quantified as such in a survey of this kind, depends on a variety of factors. For example, a child who lives in a slum area that a researcher would typically consider to be ‘on the street’ with one or more of his or her parents or close relatives may not personally identify him or herself as a street child. Thus, a researcher must not only listen to a child’s account but also observe and analyse his or her living situation in conjunction with that account. 2 It is estimated that there are more than 3,000 children living and working on Juba’s streets, children who lack parental care or, where parents and extended family are present in a child’s life, caretakers are unable to support children financially or meet even their basic needs. Of the entire sample of 370 children living on the street, 161 (43.5%) provided details about their living circumstances. The sample captured 211 boys (57%) and 159 (43%) girls between the ages of 5 and 17. The majority of child respondents were between the ages of 10 and 17, however 59 children below age 10 also participated. The study represented 24 tribes, with the majority of children from the Mundari and Bari tribes, which demonstrates little change from previous surveys on street children. However, a rise in the number of Dinka children rose significantly. Though the overwhelming majority of children in the study were South Sudanese, the study also features Ugandan, Congolese and Kenyan respondents. Street children in this study live primary in Juba’s largest markets, including Konyo Konyo, Gumbo, Jebel, and Custom as well as residential and trading areas, with concentrations in Salakana, Gudele, Juba Nabari, St. Mary and Juba Town. Most street children migrate between areas and often sleep in multiple places in a given week. The majority of children (56%) reported living on the street alone while a smaller number (27.4%) lived with their parent(s). As many as 10% of street girls reported living in brothels and even fewer lived with relatives, grandparents or a spouse in a street situation. Children primarily migrated to the street on 1 UNODC, Egypt Street Children Report, 2000. Available at: http://www.unodc.org/pdf/youthnet/egypt_street_children_report.pdf 2 Globa l Street Samaritan, Survey on Street Children in Juba, 2013 8 their own or with their friends (70.2%), while a small number were brought to the street by their parents or with a sibling (25.7%). Only a very small percentage (4.1%) were brought by an adult non- relative of the child. Children brought by an adult non-relative could indicate trafficking, though the children’s testimony did not specify this. The average time a child had spent living on the street was one to two years with some children reportedly being on the street for as long as a decade. More than half (59%) of these children either migrated from the village to the street in Juba or started migrating to the street from within Juba in search of work. Other push and pull factors specified included children being orphaned (7.5%), returning from Sudan (6.8%), searching for food (6.8%), parental neglect and/or abuse (5.6%), having their home demolished (5%) and/or the influence of friends (2.5%). Less common push factors included running away from home (1.9%), being forced to work by his or her parents (1.9%), initially migrating to Juba for studies (1.2%), to work in prostitution (1.2%) and/or poor health (0.6%). The link between street children and children in conflict with the law Street children often come into contact with the justice system in Juba. This study attempted to learn the dynamics between street children and police officers, particularly the nature of the interactions between these two groups and the general perception children have regarding police officers as a result of these interactions. The overwhelming majority of children refused to answer questions about the interactions they or their friends have had with the police, citing they were afraid that there would be repercussions if they did. Widespread abuse by the police was documented, primarily in the form of arbitrary beatings and theft of street boys and sexual abuse by street girls engaged in Commercial Sexual Exploitation. Often children disclosed information about their friends’ experiences with the justice system but refused to describe their own, even when arrests or beatings were initially disclosed. Fifty-six children reported that they or one or more of their friends had been arrested. Only 49 children reported the cause of arrest, the majority of which were as a result of theft (57.1%), followed by fighting (26.5%), ‘moving at night’ (6.1%), prostitution (6.1%) or for an unspecified reason (4.1%). The study allowed for children to use their own words (as opposed to set responses) to describe both the outcome of reported arrests and how the police generally treat him or her. Children reported the following as outcomes of being arrested: ‘beaten’, ‘beaten severely’, ‘beaten and imprisoned’ and ‘tortured’ (43%). Just over 14% were imprisoned, 6.1% were arrested and released, 4% were either sentenced or currently serving time and the outcome was unknown for over 32% of children. Fifty-eight children were willing to describe the treatment they received by police. The majority reported that they were beaten (41.4%) while a significant number reported fair treatment (25.9%). Other children reported general ‘abuse’ (15.5%) and torture (5.2%) and girls were reportedly raped (5.2%). A small number reported harassment (3.4%) or did not respond (3.4%). Exploitative interaction with the police reportedly drives street children to alternate where they sleep at night so they cannot be found or harassed by the police. This increases a child’s vulnerability as they typically separate from their peer group support mechanism in order to avoid negative interaction with the police. Health and Safety of Street Children Street children have little to no access to basic health care and are often refused treatment at clinics and the Juba Teaching Hospital. One hospital in Juba, the Usuratuna Children’s Hospital, however, provided excellent care for two street children during the time this study was being conducted. Children reported the types of health conditions they experienced in the last 12-month period. The majority of children reported experiencing stomach problems/diarrhea, superficial injuries or open wounds and fever. Children also experienced burns, corrosions and scalds (4.6%), skin problems (4.6%), breathing 9 problems (3.5%), eye problems (2.7%), dislocations or sprains (2.2%), extreme fatigue (1.9%), fractures (1.6%), other (0.8%) or did not respond (15.7%). The study also aimed to capture the prevalence of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and the prevalence and awareness of Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS). It is important to note that due to the sensitive nature of these questions it is expected the data is likely conservative, which was reflected in part by a low response rate. Additionally, these questions were asked only of children over the age of twelve. More than one third (34.5%) of respondents chose not to answer the questions while more than half (54.1%) said neither they nor their friends had suffered from an STI. Only 11.4% of respondents answered that they or a friend has or had a STI. Similarly, many children chose not to respond to questions regarding prevalence and awareness of HIV/AIDS. Of the children who responded to a question about how HIV/AIDS is transmitted, only 41.4% were aware that it is frequently sexually transmitted. As a result more than half (60.1%) of the respondents said they did not k now how to protect themselves from HIV/AIDS, though 36% cited condoms and 3.9% cited abstinence. Male children typically displayed a greater knowledge and awareness of STIs and HIV/AIDS than girls. In one community of street boys that had participated in H IV/AIDS awareness sessions with an International Non-governmental Organisation (INGO) 100% knew how HIV/AIDS was transmitted and what behaviors reduced their risk of contracting the disease. Street children in an urban environment like Juba have little to no security. As a result of inadequate shelter, clean drinking water and varying access to food street children are exposed to a number of deadly diseases and illnesses. Furthermore, poor sanitation, a lack of awareness of good hygiene practices and access to healthcare creates vulnerability. In the dry season, children are at r isk of severe dehydration and during the rainy season, heavy rains o ften result in flooding in the areas where street children sleep, thus increasing the risk of Malaria, Typhoid, parasites and other water -borne diseases and illnesses. A lack of shelter and appropriate adult protection exposes children to predators and an increased potential for sexual abuse and assault. Most children reported scavenging for food, particularly from rubbish bins and begging for leftovers at restaurants in Juba. Over 82% of parents with children living on the street said they only eat 1 meal a day. Street children without appropriate adult care are also more likely to experience and instigate violence among their peers. In the absence of adult supervision and guidance, street children often look for community among their peers and form gangs for protection. There is a large population of approximately 250 boys from the same tribe, primarily from Eastern Equatoria State (EES), who live in a slum area in Juba. While listening to the stories of how many of these boys migrated to Juba, a theme emer ged. Many boys from traditional Pastoralist backgrounds are reportedly rebelling against their traditional way of life and leaving home, many of which have ended up living on the street in Juba. CHILD LABOUR IN JUBA The study found that 325 out of 370 ( 87.8%) children who participated in the research were involved in some form of child labour. Of these children, 267 provided specific details about the income generating activities he or she was involved in. Both boys and girls engaged in some form of chil d labour worked primarily in one of Juba’s markets (26.1%) while a large number worked in shops, restaurants and hotels (16.7%). Many girls reported working in brothels (15.1%), arguably the highest rate to date of Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC). Some children did not perform their work in one fixed location, rather they were mobile, searching for work throughout Juba (14.4%). A small number of children were working at his or her family dwelling, supporting his or her parents’ commercial activities such as brewing alcohol or preparing food for sale in the market (7.4%) or at a factory (5%) [and as a result were unable to attend school, thus categorising these activities as child labour] and 15.3% did not 10