Citation

Mabvurira V, Chigevenga R, Kambarami F, Chavhi R, Nyoni C. Child Abuse Res. South Afr. 2017; 18(2): 68-76.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, South African Professional Society on the Abuse of Children)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

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Abstract

Child prostitution is amongst one of the globe's most offensive crimes perpetrated against children. In most cases girls are the most affected as they are exploited for profit. The study was conducted in the border towns of Beitbridge and Plumtree. Beitbridge and Plumtree are located at the borders of Zimbabwe and South Africa and Botswana respectively. The study aimed at establishing the causes and prevalence of child prostitution in Zimbabwe. Due to the evasive nature of the area under study, qualitative research methods of face to face interviews and observation techniques were employed. Quantitative methods were also used to assess the prevalence rates of children in prostitution.

FINDINGS of the study indicated that there was a myriad of factors that caused child prostitution mainly poverty, absentee parents, peer pressure and exposure to risky lifestyles. Children were reported to constitute around 20% of female sex workers in the two towns. The study concluded that child prostitution was common and may increase due to the deepening poverty levels in Zimbabwe.

Language: en