Child prostitution rife in SA

2003-01-22 22:24

Yvonne Beyers

Cape Town - At least 500 of the 2 000 sex workers in Cape Town are under 18, says Zurayah Abass, manager of the child protection organisation, Molo Songololo.

Abass says between 28 000 and 30 000 children annually resort to prostitution around the country.

"Child prostitution and human trade pose enormous problems for South Africa. In some cases parents sell their children into prostitution, in others children become involved in gangs who sell their services. Street children also often practise prostitution as a means of survival, and then become involved in organised crime."

Abass says child prostitutes earn between R10 and R150 a client. "Often, however, clients refuse to pay or the pimp keeps all the money and the child is too intimidated to protest."

She says children as young as seven are working as prostitutes in Cape Town.

Police Goodwood child protection unit chief Superintendent Jan Swart says child prostitution is hardly ever reported.

"Children rely on the income to survive and are reluctant to testify against their clients. The children don't see themselves as victims and see their life on the street as an alternative to discipline and authority in places of safety."

"A few years ago we placed 13 child prostitutes in a place of safety. A few weeks later all of them were back with their pimp."

Swart says only 1% of the 1 400 to 1 600 child-related offences reported at the Goodwood unit annually is linked to prostitution. "The percentage, however, does not reflect the reality. Child prostitution is much more common. It is a useless exercise to try and get children to admit they are working as prostitutes."

He says children often come to cities from rural areas to try and find work. "And as soon as they start struggling to survive, they become involved with drugs and prostitution."

Most child prostitutes are girls between the ages of 11 and 15.

- Die Burger