Around the world, children are exploited and abused in a variety of ways. They are exploited for cheap labor, prostitution, child soldiering, mining, domestic labor, agricultural labor, and other illegal activities. According to the International Labour Organization, more than eight million children around the world are engaged in the "worst forms" of child labor, including commercial sexual exploitation, hazardous labor, child soldiering, and illegal activities. Children who are forced to work instead of going to school are deprived of the opportunity to develop, learn, and be children; they are at risk of sexual and physical abuse; and are most are unable to defend themselves or their rights.- Right now, 2 million children are being exploited in the commercial sex trade.
- Each year, more than 1.2 million children are trafficked around the world.
- 300,000 child soldiers participate in 30 conflicts throughout the world.
- 20,000 - 30,000 boys are exploited as prostitutes on Sri Lankan beaches.
- At least 30,000 children in Nepal live on the streets.
In humanitarian crisis social protections that function in stable communities are not in place or are no longer functioning in displaced communities. Child trafficking and prostitution have become commonplace in areas where economic infrastructure and social safety nets collapse, leaving children and their families desperate for food, shelter and financial opportunity.
