Children at Risk are children who live in exceptionally difficult circumstances. They live outside of normal family situations, perhaps on the streets, perhaps as AIDS orphans, or perhaps they have been trafficked to an area far from home, sold into prostitution or domestic labour.
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| Jim Holmes |
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In Togo, West Africa, it is estimated that 313,000 children are currently living abroad as a result of being sold into trafficking. At least as many victims again are living inside the country.
With nearly three quarters of Togo’s people living in absolute poverty, unable to afford even their most basic needs for food, clothing and education, it is no surprise that families are easy prey for organised trafficking gangs. Each year many poor parents are persuaded to give away their children to reduce the burden on the family.
Many other children are abducted. However, sometimes, children themselves decide to go with their new ‘guardians’. They think it’s best. They couldn’t be more wrong. Most are aged between 5 and 15. In effect they are slaves.
These children are ruthlessly exploited and physically and sexually abused. If they survive their abduction and transport, they end up as domestic help, coffee pickers, street porters or sex workers.
Investigations carried out by Human Rights Watch have shown that many vulnerable children in Togo fall victim to traffickers who supply children as cheap labour or sex slaves throughout West Africa. The problem is so widespread; it is not unknown for a teacher to lead his entire class into trafficking.
Plan is working urgently to stop the trafficking of children. We are:
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pressurising police to raid brothels and release girls
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supporting safe houses where rescued girls get medical care and counselling
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helping families and communities welcome back ‘ex-prostitutes’; and,
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campaigning and educating to stop trafficking in the first place
We are working with the active support of government agencies, local non-governmental organisations, teachers, social workers and community groups. The communities themselves are taking action against traffickers and becoming advocates and lobbyists.
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