Others become pickpockets or commit more serious crimes. Facing Sexual Threats Street culture often encourages and reinforces risky behaviors. Street children reported that being forced to have sexual intercourse was one of the greatest problems they faced in living on the streets. Many street children seek out the physical protection of an older youth, but that kind of partnership can be dangerous. The younger boys need the protection of an older boy for survival, but it puts them at risk sexually.
Adults wishing to purchase sex are also a threat to street children.
Some believe that youngsters are less likely to be infected with HIV than older persons and take advantage of their desperation and gullibility, promising special gifts in exchange for sexual services. In addition, many of the older street children maintain relationships with sex workers. But that's a direct bridge for the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Most street children are poorly equipped to combat such sexual threats. In general, street children had received little education, and compounding that lack of knowledge was a fatalistic world view.