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A new study, Struggling to Survive, by Railway Children finds a ‘silent war’ is being waged in Tanzania and Kenya against children forced on to the streets. The children who took part in the study have been exposed to a relentless ordeal of extreme physical and sexual violence, which has become so widespread it is now considered ‘normal’. Violence by adults against these street children includes knife attacks, beatings, torture and rape – often committed by family members, friends and neighbours and officials. Pete Kent, East Africa Country Director for Railway Children, said: “Children end up on the streets as a last resort, often forced to leave home due to family conflict. The cycle of violence then follows them on to the streets and is aggravated by a general acceptance of abusive behaviour towards street children. “The children themselves are viewed as the ‘problem’ rather than the communities that have failed them. Children are routinely treated as criminals and put in prison cells with adults where sexual abuse is rife. And the absence of adequate child protection measures explains why one in three girls in Tanzania who have sex for the first time are forced.” Railway Children are calling for the Tanzanian and Kenyan government to launch a coordinated plan to tackle the violence against street children. Urgent action is also required to help the most traumatised children, who without better support will remain trapped in poverty on the streets and continue to be exploited as they battle for survival. Turusifu , who has been on the streets since he was 12, said: “When I asked where my father was I was told that he was at the police station. When I asked what had happened I was told that my father had raped my sister.” Joanna, aged 14, talked about life on the streets: “They beat us, they torture us you know these big guys. They send us out to beg, and tell us to bring the money back to them. If you resist they hit you.” Download the executive summary or the full report at the following link:
http://news.railwaychildren.org.uk/2012/02/street-children-trapped-in-a-silent-war-of-extreme-violence/